Six Steps to a More Engaging Prayer LifeSample

E - Enter His Throne Room with Boldness and Expectation

In Hebrews 4:16, we are told to come boldly before the throne of grace in the time of need to obtain mercy. What I have seen as I study the lives of great prayer warriors is that their courage to enter boldly and with expectation, has a direct correlation to their intimacy with God. I am a father to three adult children, one boy and two girls. Many times, when my girls were little, they would barge right into our bedroom unannounced; especially if they were hurt or afraid, (or more likely, being pestered by their older brother). Five-year-olds know how to get your attention and really don’t care who or what they interrupt to do so. I submit to you that my daughters’ boldness was not necessarily inherent in their nature. That boldness and expectation came from the countless times we would love on them, hold them close, laugh with them, and hear their hearts. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus said, unless we are like little children, we could not enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Could it be that the same is true for us as God’s children?  See, if we seek to know Him intimately through daily interaction, He won’t be a stranger in the time of need but will be the friend that sticks closer than a brother. He will not only hear us; he will answer us. 1 John 5:14, 15 says, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” Practice intimacy with Him and a boldness and expectation will come when you pray.

Prayer: God, I want to know You more. Not to just have my prayers answered, but to cultivate our relationship and my dependence on You as my closest friend. Draw me near to Your heart, for when I am there, I can boldly ask You for what I need.