Bold Prayers

          I love to hear my husband, Ken, pray for me.  He knows I need a lot of prayer and for that, I am truly grateful.  My paralysis can be a real pain... and this wheelchair can be so tiring.  To be honest, sometimes I feel slump-shouldered, I do occasionally feel like caving in.  I look at the future and it frightens me sometimes.  Because things aren't going to get easier; I know they're going to get more difficult, more painful in years to come.  But, thankfully, when I feel like this, my husband and I know enough to head to God's Word.

            And, the other day we were reading in the book of Acts, and came across a most remarkable prayer.  It's in Acts chapter 4 where Peter and John had just been released from jail.  The whole town was in an uproar and their lives were hanging in the balance.  The religious leaders were breathing threats and their future looked downright doubtful.  Now here's the thing...

            When Peter and John gathered with their Christian friends, this is what they prayed.  Starting in the 24^th verse, the people began with these words, "Oh, sovereign Lord!" well Ken and I looked at each other and immediately I was struck with how often I begin praying, "Oh God, help me."  And they began, "Oh God, you're in control!"  Yes, things look fearful; yes, their world seemed to be caving in - but, my goodness, the way those early Christians clung to God's sovereignty.  "God, we know that you are in control!"

            And, that spoke to me!  And that's not all.  The rest of the prayer was just as remarkable, because they didn't ask God to give them protection or to shield them from danger... they didn't ask God to defeat the religious leaders or stop the plans of wicked men.  Instead, they prayed God would make them bold and courageous.  They asked God to keep them strong; that they wouldn't retreat or be cowards, or shirk or shrink away from fear.  Now that was quite a prayer.

            And it had quite an effect on me.  Because when I'm feeling overwhelmed, I've got to remember - you've got to remember - that first, God is in control.  "Oh sovereign Lord."  And next, it helps to remember that God has already promised us His protection; He safeguards His people.  I need to pray that I won't be a coward - when my paralysis and wheelchair crush my spirit or diminish my joy, I don't want to run away from the trial or shrink back from the test.  Oh, sovereign Lord, help me to remain strong and steadfast.  Don't let my heart cave in or my emotions collapse.  I want to look at my future with an Ephesians 6 attitude which says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." 

            So friend, I hope that's an encouragement to you today if you're feeling a little slump-shouldered.  Let's you and I be like those Christians who prayed with Peter and John right after they got out of jail and had bad news facing them all sides.  May God help us all be brave and bold.

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