Why Am I Scared to Pray Boldly?

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
(JAMES 5:16B)

Thought for the Day: Prayer does make a difference — a life-changing, mind-blowing, earth-rattling difference. We don’t need to know how. We don’t need to know when. We just need to kneel confidently and know the tremors of a simple Jesus girl’s prayers extend far wide and far high and far deep.

Have you ever caught yourself in this journey toward health being a little reserved in prayer? Me too. Especially when it comes to bold commitment prayers.

Prayers where I boldly commit this journey to God. Prayers where I commit to following through. Prayers where I declare the Scriptures we’ve been studying as promises I can live out. Prayers where I ask God to help hold me accountable.

It’s not at all that I don’t believe God can do anything. I absolutely do. I’m a wild-about-Jesus girl. Wild in my willingness. Wild in my obedience. Wild in my adventures with God.

My hesitation isn’t rooted in any kind of doubt about God. It’s more rooted in doubts about myself and a hyper awareness of my weaknesses.

Can you relate?

I so desperately want to stay in the absolute will of God that I sometimes find myself praying with clauses. Like, “God, I want to commit this journey to You, but I’m really scared I’m going to fail.” I wonder why I don’t just boldly pray, “God, I commit this journey to You. The whole thing. The times I’m successful and the times I need grace.” And then stand confidently that my prayers were not in vain no matter what the outcome.

The reality is God wants me to boldly pray. I am convinced boldly praying changes me. It boots me out of that stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God Himself.

Prayer opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can’t see on my own. And I am convinced prayer changes circumstances. Prayers are powerful and effective if prayed from the position of a righteous heart (James 5:16).

Prayer does make a difference — a life-changing, mind-blowing, earth-rattling difference. We don’t need to know how. We don’t need to know when. We just need to kneel confidently and know the tremors of a simple Jesus girl’s prayers extend far wide and far high and far deep.

Letting that absolute truth slosh over into my soul snuffs out the flickers of hesitation. It bends my stiff knees. And it ignites a fresh, bold, even wilder fire within me. Not bold as in bossy and demanding. But bold as in, I love my Jesus with all my heart, so why would I offer anything less than an ignited prayer life?

So let’s ask God boldly for what we need in all aspects of our lives. Including this Made to Crave journey. Maybe especially for this ongoing Made to Crave journey. And then ask again. Not so that we can manipulate the movement of God. But rather so we can position our souls to really follow Jesus throughout this entire journey.

And with that, our devotions come to an end. But I can’t think of a better place to leave you than tucked safely in the arms of a Jesus to whom we absolutely must boldly pray.

Dear Lord, I believe that You are the giver of life and Lord over all things. Help me to pray with a fresh new boldness today. I am convinced that prayers change me. I trust You and depend on You, Lord, and seek to follow You in every way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.