PRAYING WITH BOLDNESS

            "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). The Bible is full of admonitions for us to pray. Verses such as those found in 1 Timothy 2:1, 2 encourages us to be faithful in praying: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty". A very short verse found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 simply says, "Pray without ceasing". There are many reasons we should pray with boldness.

            Our verse begins with 'let us' which gives a universal call to every Christian. It is not just to the strong, but to every one of you who know the Lord as your Savior! When you see the word 'therefore' as found in this verse you should look at what is before it to know what it is 'there for'. In the previous verse 15, we are reminded that Jesus is touched by all the feelings of our infirmities. A few verses earlier in verse 13, we are told that all things are opened to Him and He knows even the very thoughts of our hearts. He knows what you are going through at all times and He cares. You never share a burden with Him where He responds, "Oh, I am sorry to hear about that!" You can pray with boldness when you remember the One to whom you are praying loves you more than anyone else could ever love you! I wonder how often He thinks, "I know what they are going through and what they need. Why aren't they praying?"

            When you come to the throne of grace, you do not have to worry about how deserving or worthy you are for what you are requesting. That is the throne where you 'obtain mercy' and 'find grace' to help. Consider the difference in the mercy of God and the grace of God. Mercy is when you do not receive what you really deserve! Grace is when you do receive what you do not deserve! Therefore, you can come with boldness. Coming to the throne of grace does not depend on how worthy you are to be praying, but how worthy He is to be trusted in your time of need. In each of the opening remarks Paul wrote in his pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus, he included the words "grace, mercy, and peace be to you". As you pray with boldness, you can trust in God's grace and mercy to also give you peace.

            The verse only states "in time of need" without specifying a particular time, or whatever the need may be. So, at any time you are suffering, or concerned about any matter, you can approach the throne of grace with boldness. You are familiar with the well-known and precious verse found in Philippians, 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." A couple of things found in this verse are important to notice. First, it says God will supply ALL your need, and, secondly, it is ACCORDING to his riches, not out of them. If His supply is out of His riches then He would have less after supplying you, but it is according to His riches instead. There is always an adequate supply found at the throne of grace to provide whatever need you may have!  

            Remembering Who is sitting on the throne of grace you are calling on will also help you pray with boldness. You will never have a need that will tax His ability to supply! His ability to provide for you is found in Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." The Lord may not supply the need you are asking for, but it is never because it is beyond His ability! He may just love you too much to give what you are asking! He knows that giving what you request would be harmful to you and what you are able to do for Him.

            I wonder if the Lord ever gets exasperated when He sees us depending on ourselves instead of Him. He wants us to come boldly to His throne of grace for all our needs!