BOLDNESS

Do you know why the message of Jesus got all the way to the 21st century?

Because the first century Christians prayed for boldness and God honored that request.

Then they asked for something more crazy:  'God, stretch out Your hand to heal and let signs and wonders be performed thru the name of Your Son, Jesus.'

I've asked for that.  You probably have too.

Our problem is we usually ask for that to happen sometime between 9a and noon on a Sunday morning where all of us who love Jesus are already gathered.

But what were the first century believers praying?

They were asking God to send them into the streets, among those who didn't believe, to live in such a way that those who were skeptical would see something extraordinary, and people would go: '(Gasp) That must be the God they're always talking about right there.'

Not:  'God, work Your magic on us who already know You at 11a on Sunday.'

'What if you and I began to pray our version of that prayer?'

What if you and I began to pray our version of that prayer?  'God, would You stretch our Your hand and do something thru me -- in my secular community -- among my friends who've been burned by religion -- with a family who has every reason not to believe because of what they've been through ... '

God, would You stretch our Your hand and do something?  Not only inside the church building, but for the benefit of those who don't believe in You out there?

What would happen if we all did that?

Here's one thing that would happen -- we'd all see more opportunities open up in front of us.

When we pray, 'God, give me boldness -- God, give me courage -- God, stretch out Your hand -- God, open doors' -- we'll see some things we wouldn't have seen otherwise.

Make it happen, God.

And be blessed.