Fuse Jakarta

W2 | Pray Boldly

FUSE Jakarta

REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES

Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ | Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ | Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

OBJECTIVE

Through Christ, you do not need to approach God in fear or shame. You can pray with confidence, knowing you are heard. 

CONTENT

We Need Help

  • Jesus said in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is it who bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." What you do Monday through Saturday is to be as spiritual as what you do on Sunday mornings. We were not made to just do meaningless things until Sunday rolls around. We were made to reflect the glory of God in all we do. We were made to enjoy the presence of God as we do all things. But sin has thoroughly ruined the spiritual capacity to know and gladly depend on Christ.
  • Here in verse 16 we are encouraged to draw near to God in order to gain his help in a time of need. Knowing we are paralyzed we deliberately depend on God for the ability to follow God. We plug in. Prayer is the conscious decision to cry out to Jesus asking for his help to say no to temptation and live a righteous life. Prayer is acting on the fact that Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree so that we might die to sin and live a righteous life (1 Peter 2:24-25).
  • Whatever you do which is not done in dependence on Christ is done in dependence on yourself. Whatever you do which is not done heartily as unto the Lord is done unto man. Whatever you do which is not for the glory of God falls short of his plan. We need help but not just to get this worship gathering right. We need help to get every square inch of life right, every desire and deed. Humble people pray.
  • Pray to God because he is compassionate towards you. He is merciful toward you. He knows your situation and he knows your frame (Ps 103:13-14). He knows you are weak so he invites you to come to him and gain his help. Jesus can help. Jesus understands. Jesus is your Great High Priest who gives you access to the glorious throne of grace. Sometimes we approach God more like a fearful employee approaching a boss— instead of a child approaching a loving Father. But from this verse we are invited to come boldly. Because through Jesus, we now have access to the Father.

Open Invitation

  • We may struggle and hesitate when we pray, “am i worthy enough?”, “what if my faith isn’t strong enough?” And so on. Bold prayer is not a demand for our own way, but rather a confident response to God’s open invitation. It is the understanding that the Creator of the universe is not an intimidating figure to be avoided, but a loving Father who welcomes you to come into His presence with complete honesty.
  • Eagerly God is searching the horizon to see if He can catch a glimpse of you. Prayer is your approach to God, He wants to see your face and hear your voice. Come with a trusting heart, knowing that He will receive you. Come confidently and boldly taking your place as His child, He made you and redeemed you. Acknowledge Him as your Father. Wherever you are you have freedom to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of the Lamb.
  • He is concerned with everything that concerns you. You can speak frankly, openly and honestly to Him in your everyday language; you don’t have to speak eloquently, but simply and plainly.
  • You will find mercy and grace to help you in your time of need. His mercies are new every morning, and He lavishly heaps grace and more grace upon you, even more than you are able to receive. Come into His presence, recognize and know that He is your God; He is not withholding any good thing from you. This Mighty God is your Friend, Redeemer, Counselor, Prince of Peace, your Loving Father who will never leave you or forsake you. Here in His presence is fullness of joy, your strength for the day. Having come confidently and boldly to the Throne of Grace, you can go out knowing that you are never alone. God’s presence goes with you.
  • What does pray boldly means/looks like:
    - Pray boldly in weakness - God is not waiting for you to fix yourself first. You can come: tired, anxious, confused, struggling, emotionally exhausted. Because grace is not for perfect people. Grace is for needy people.
    - Pray boldly without shame - The enemy often uses shame to create distance from God. But conviction from God leads us back to Him— not away from Him. Because Jesus already paid the price, we don’t approach God as rejected people.
    - Pray boldly for your needs - Sometimes we think prayer should only be “spiritual.” But God also cares about: your worries, your future, your family, your emotions, your struggles, your daily needs. God is present in practical needs too. Nothing is too small to bring before Him.
    - Pray boldly in alignment with God’s will - true boldness includes surrender. Because sometimes the greatest faith is not controlling outcomes— but trusting God even when the answer looks different.
    - Pray boldly because you are heard - Prayer is not talking into emptiness. It is communion with a living God.

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • What is the difference between praying boldly and demanding things from God?
  • What stops you from praying boldly?

REFERENCES