are you bold enough?

"And now, O Lord, hear their threats and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.  Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." Acts 4:29-30

This is a prayer that Peter and John prayed along with their mounting masses of new believers right after they were orders by the rulers and teachers of religious law to never again preach in the name of Jesus.  They felt the threats against them and asked God for great boldness in preaching his word.  They didn't ask for safety or that God would intervene and wipe out all of the religious leaders.  No. They saw the threats, they were afraid, but they asked God to make them extra bold while they continued to break the law and go against the rulings of the leaders.

How often do we pray like this??  I know I hardly ever do.  It doesn't even occur to me.  I pray for the things I want, or health for my family, or things that will make my life easier.  But I don't think I ever pray for boldness and courage to do whatever it is that God is calling me to do.  How different would my daily life be if I asked God for boldness?  I would probably be more likely to delve into the conversation of salvation with an acquaintance who dances around the questions.  Or I would probably be more likely to show love, kindness and compassion to those I encounter.  It kinda breaks my heart to think of all the situations in my life where I could have passed on the love of Jesus to people in my life, but I missed out because I wasn't bold enough.  I wasn't constantly asking God to make me bold and courageous in my everyday life.  2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that Jesus doesn't give us a spirit of timidity, but of POWER and love and discipline.  Where would we be and what would we be doing in the name of Jesus if we embrace this verse and a prayer for boldness and live it out everyday? I don't want to miss out on any more chances to share my Jesus with the world because of a lack of boldness and courage. What about you?