Bold Prayer

“Grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word […] they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” – Acts 4:29, 31 NKJV

John Knox lived in turbulent times. Born in 1514 in Scotland, he was a tutor before being called to the Protestant ministry. In 1553 Knox was forced to flee to France because of political machinations. When he returned to Scotland in 1559, Knox became an outspoken critic of the regime of Mary, Queen of Scots. The conflict between Mary and Knox came to a head in a dramatic encounter in September 1560.

Mary once admitted that she feared “the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” Why such fear? Because she knew that his prayers were powerful and made a difference. He was bold because he was confident in his relationship with God. About Knox, one English politician said, “He put more life in us than 500 trumpets blustering in our ears.”

Knox is known to have prayed, “O Lord, give me Scotland, or I die!” He consistently repeated this audacious prayer. As a result of his prayers, spiritual things happened. Knox knew that nothing was impossible for those who pray. He stated confidently that “a man with God is always in the majority.”

Today, God hasn’t changed. He looks for people with the boldness that characterized the prayer life of John Knox. Determine to be a person of faith. Believe God boldly. Pray with confidence and faith. Know for certain that with Him nothing is impossible!

Reflection Question: What bold breakthrough are you praying for today?