5/16/2008 Give Me Your Boldness

[RandomK]

S. 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported
all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when
they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and
said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and
all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have
said:
‘ Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both
Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,
were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose
determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and
grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your
word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and
wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled
together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

O. When the disciples came against a common enemy, they all got
together and prayed to God, not to be delivered from this enemy, but
rather to be empowered by God to face this enemy in boldness. They
recognized the threats of the Chief Priests, and asked God to do even
more miraculous wonders in Christ's name, so that glory would come to
Jesus.

A. How often, when I am faced with something menacing, do I go to God
and ask Him for the strength and courage to FACE whatever it is that
I'm up against. How much more often, do I pray to be DELIVERED from
the battle, when it is clear that I am supposed to stand and fight,
with God. I want so badly to run away from things that make me
uncomfortable, rather than ask God to help me go through it. Though I
may ask God to shake up my world, Is that REALLY what I want? Do I
really want to go through whatever God wants me to do? Surely God
wouldn't ask me to do anything that He wouldn't be willing to go
through WITH me? He has promised to never leave me or forsake me, so
what am I so afraid of? Is it possible that I am just afraid of giving
up all control, and letting God actually lead me for once? How
frightening would it be to allow God to take control through the Holy
Spirit? Do I want a real God experience, or do I just want to float
through life, praying for God to keep me from evil? What kind of a
"Christian" would I be if I asked God to "deliver" me from carrying my
cross, rather than actually identifying with Christ and walking in his
footsteps?

P. Lord God, I pray that you increase my boldness. I am a coward in
and of myself. I have nothing to give to you or your cause. There is
nothing that you need me for, and yet, you have called me, because you
love me, and you have somehow counted me as worthy to take up your
will, so I pray, Father, please increase my boldness. Stretch out your
hand and do miraculous signs in my life so that I, too, may glorify
your Servant Jesus. You said that you would give me whatever I ask, if
I ask in Jesus name, because it would in turn Glorify the Father, so
please, fill me with your Holy Spirit the same way you filled the
Disciples so that I may be empowered to do your work. I want to
glorify your name.