Pray With Audacity – July 28, 2022

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.”
Luke 11:5-8

Pray With Audacity

Do you know someone with audacity? I’m not talking about the audio editing software. I am talking about the character trait. What is audacity? The dictionary definition starts out with something positive: “a willingness to take bold risks.” But then the definition goes on to say: “rude or disrespectful behavior; impudence.”

If you would like to approach the creator and ruler of the universe with a personal request, I suppose that counts as a willingness to take a bold risk. Asking God for anything can seem like a stretch, especially if you do not know or understand him. Maybe you will appear rude and make him angry, especially if you keep repeating your request.

But if you know God, you know that he wants the best for you. If you understand God, you know that he sent his only Son to be your Savior, removing your shame, and that he invites you to ask him for anything on your heart.

If you pray and you don’t seem to get an answer right away, should you keep asking? Jesus encourages you to do that. He gives the example of someone who shows up at an inconvenient time and asks for something that doesn’t seem essential. Jesus commends the audacity of the person doing the asking.

The message for you is clear. Be audacious in your prayers.

Prayer:
Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. Amen.