Boldness in Asking for Miracles in Prayer
Boldness in prayer, particularly when asking for miracles, is a recurring theme in Christian thought, emphasizing confidence and freedom in approaching God [5, 6]. This boldness is not a presumption based on human merit, but rather a trust rooted in God's character and promises [6, 10].
The concept of boldness in prayer is biblically supported. The Apostle Paul, for instance, asks for prayers that he might be given "speech in the opening of my mouth with boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel" (Ephesians 6:19 LITV) [1]. This suggests that boldness is a quality to be sought and exercised in communication with God and in ministry [3]. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to "cast not away therefore your confidence," which John Gill interprets as an "holy boldness in prayer, free from a servile and bashful spirit; and which appears in a liberty of speaking to God, and in a confidence of being heard" [5]. This confidence is described as being "through faith in Christ" [3].
John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, stresses that the only prayer acceptable to God "springs... from this presumption of faith, and is founded on the full assurance of hope" [6]. He further explains that God has given believers Jesus Christ as an "Advocate and Mediator" so that they can approach God "securely, confiding that with him for our Intercessor nothing which we ask in his name will be denied to us" [7]. This boldness is a distinguishing mark between believers and unbelievers [6]. Calvin also highlights that prayer should be accompanied by a sincere and ardent desire, recognizing one's true needs [9].
The Bible also provides examples of prayer under affliction, where individuals seek God's presence, support, comfort, and deliverance [4]. Such prayers demonstrate a reliance on God's power and willingness to intervene [2, 4]. The shaking of the place where early Christians prayed, followed by their being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking "the word of God with boldness," is presented as a direct answer to their request for courage [8]. This event underscores the connection between bold prayer, divine intervention, and empowerment for ministry [8].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 6:19 (LITV) — Pray also for me, that to me may be given speech in the opening of my mouth with boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel,”
- Psalms “Psalms 4:1 (KJV) — Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:32: Cast not away therefore your confidence,.... The same word is used here, as in Heb 10:19 where it is translated "boldness"; and may design here, as there, an holy boldness in prayer, free from a servile and bashful spirit; and which appears in a liberty of speaking to God, and in a confidence of being heard; prayer itself should not be left off, nor should freedom, boldness, and confidence in it be slackened, or laid aside: or else a profession of faith is intended, which ought to be free and open, bold and courageous, firm and constant; and which ought by no means ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: what we ask, a confidence which the Lord commands, and all the saints teach by their example, we must therefore hold fast with both hands, if we would pray to any advantage. The only prayer acceptable to God is that which springs (if I may so express it) from this presumption of faith, and is founded on the full assurance of hope. He might have been contented to use the simple name of faith, but he adds not only confidence, but liberty or boldness, that by this mark he might distinguish us from unbelievers, who indeed like us pray ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: forward in his own name, and appear in the presence of God, our heavenly Father, to relieve us at once from fear and shame, with which all must feel oppressed, 472 472 French, “Confusion que nous avons, ou devons avoir en nousmesmes;”—confusion which we have, or ought to have, in ourselves. has given us his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to be our Advocate and Mediator, that under his guidance we may approach securely, confiding that with him for our Intercessor nothing which we ask in his name will be denied to us, as there is nothin”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 4:31: The place was shaken - This earthquake was an evidence of the presence of God, and a most direct answer to their prayer, as far as that prayer concerned themselves. The earthquake proclaimed the stretched-out arm of God, and showed them that resistance against his counsels and determinations must come to nought. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost - And, in consequence of this, they spake the word of God with boldness; a pointed answer to a second part of their request, Act 4:29. A right prayer will always have a right and ready answer. Though these disciples”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: God is pleased to try how efficiently faith influences our hearts. 6. Another rule of prayer is, that in asking we must always truly feel our wants, and seriously considering that we need all the things which we ask, accompany the prayer with a sincere, nay, ardent desire of obtaining them. Many repeat prayers in a perfunctory manner from a set form, as if they were performing a task to God, and though they confess that this is a necessary remedy for the evils of their condition, because it were fatal to be left without the divine ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: word whose majesty might otherwise deter us, we are bold to call him Father, he himself deigning to suggest this most delightful name. Fortified by such invitations it remains for us to know that we have therein sufficient materials for prayer, since our prayers depend on no merit of our own, but all their worth and hope of success are founded and depend on the promises of God, so that they need no other support, and require not to look up and down on this hand and on that. It must therefore be fixed in our minds, that though we eq”