Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Do You Believe What You Pray? How Bold Are You?

Many of us would agree that we should be bold when we pray. But are we bold enough to believe what we pray? Is there a difference?

What are you praying for?

What are you believing God for?

I’d love to hear your answers. Would you share them below?

When I’m under a book deadline–like now–my blogs may be a little shorter and a little less frequent for a few weeks.

But my challenge to you today is to make a list of bold requests–things you want to ask God for with more urgency and boldness.

Secondly, put a check mark beside the ones you can/will actually believe God for. Make sure you are asking in Jesus’s name, according to His will, and believing His promises concerning your request.

Ask Boldly

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV)

Pray Boldly

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV)

Believe Boldly

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6, NIV).

My Prayer for You

Lord Jesus,

Help us to pray boldly, coming before Your throne with assurance and anticipation of how You will answer. Light a fire in our spirits that we might ask according to Your will, and then believe boldly with the faith that You will answer. We may not know how or when Your answer will come, but teach us to walk by faith, believing You will answer. We can demand nothing; but we can believe that anything–and everything–is possible with You, Lord.

It’s in Your name we pray, Amen.

Day-votedly Yours,

Rebecca

It’s Your Turn to Share

What about you? Would you share your answers/comments below to the above questions? Your words might encourage someone today.

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Why God’s Promises Don’t Change When You Grow Old

Old is a controversial concept. You may be depositing social security checks or contemplating a second career. You could be a parent, grandparent, or a middlescent saving for retirement.

No matter what age you are now, you may be wondering, will God’s promises still apply when I grow old?

Will I have enough?

Will I still be useful?

What does God promise when you grow old?

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow tall as the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord’s own garden, and are under his personal care. Even in old age they will still produce fruit and be vital and green (Psalm 92:12-14, NLT).

Who are the godly?

That promise refers to the “godly.” The Bible calls “godly” those who belong to Him: Christ-ones, those whom He labels “righteous” because they have accepted the free gift of forgiveness and salvation offered them through the blood and death of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:26, John 3:16). So if your heart belongs to Jesus, that’s a promise you can expect God to fulfill:

Notice the things He promises for you in these verses:

You will flourish like palm trees.
You will grow tall like Lebanon cedars.
You have been transplanted into the Lord’s own garden.
You are under His personal care and protection.
You will still produce fruit.
You will be vital and green.

When did God’s promise to you begin? When He transplanted you into His garden–when you became His child.

Do God’s promises ever fail? Not according to Scripture:

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does (Psalm 145:13, NIV)

For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises (Romans 11:29, TLB).

Will your life still be useful in old age?

Will your life still be useful to God? I think the key word above is still. God has always had a plan for you, from the time you were young–and even before you were born (Psalm 139).

And, He says, you will still produce fruit. After all, you are in God’s garden now. What He started producing in you earlier, He will continue to do so even in old age (Philippians 1:6).

What kind of fruit? Does God mean the fruit of the spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience… (Galatians 5:22-23). Or does He mean productivity and activity?

Whatever it means, God assures us of one thing. Our lives still matter to Him whether we are young or old. Even if our bodies grow old, our muscles sag, and our minds lag, God can still use us for His glory. We may not feel vital and green, but that doesn’t matter.

Why? Because God and His promises never change (Hebrews 13:8, MSG).

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my leaves to wilt and turn brown. I want to be a vital part of God’s garden until my final dying breath.

The Key to Our Usefulness

The key may be up to us. How much do we want Him to use us when we grow old? Old age is not something to dread. According to God’s promise, it’s something to anticipate–a continuation of His good plan. Prepare as best you can, but cast your worries and cares on Jesus.

Leave it up to God, and cooperate with Him as to how He wants to use you. Our part is primarily to trust and believe His promise.