“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (NIV)

Have you ever read something that opened your eyes to a new interpretation? You thought you firmly understood something, but then a simple statement made you question that understanding? That's what today's devo question did to me. It stopped me in my tracks and challenged my understanding of praying boldly when I read today’s question:

“Are you going to God boldly asking?”

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At first glance, the message can easily be interpreted to mean that we are to go to God boldly asking. But that's not what it says. The message doesn't tell us that this is something we should be doing. You can answer this question yes or no, but which is right with God? The answer eluded me, so it was time to get a fresh cup of tea and use this as an opportunity to know Him better. I invite you to join me.

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Our loving God gives us two universal commandments that should always guide us in our study of His Word: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-39).

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With these essentials in mind, let's spend some time refreshing our understanding of praying boldly by breaking down today's message.

First, let’s start with “going to God.” Jesus taught us how to go to God with what's commonly known as the Lord's Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). Our prayers should acknowledge God's reverence (v. 9), righteousness (v. 10), providence (v. 11), grace (v. 12), and leadership (v. 13). Further, He makes it clear that we are to pray from our hearts, not for show (Matt. 6:6-8).

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And who is God? Silly question maybe, but this is a perfect opportunity for a reminder. One of the best reminders to me about who God is comes from reading Job chapter 38 and 39. To summarize, God asks Job a series of rhetorical questions intended to remind him of His sovereign dominion over us. So intrinsic is Job's comprehension of who God is, that Job never questions God's righteousness to allow his afflictions (Job 1:21). Simply put, Job says, God is God. I am not.

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Second, “asking.” God makes it clear that what we ask for is important. For example, we are not to store up treasures in the world where there are moths and rust and thieves. Instead, we should ask for Kingdom treasures that will last for eternity (Matt. 6:19-20). Also, the Lord's Prayer says to ask for today's daily bread, forgiveness of our sins, and deliverance from evil (Matt. 6:11-13).

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Finally, “boldly.” I saved this for last because it is this part of the message that challenged me the most. The Word instructs us to go boldly to God. Today's verse is a perfect example telling us to ask, seek, or knock. Luke even tells us in 11:8 that God answers the prayers of the bold!

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But I'm still getting this nagging feeling that I'm missing something important. And that something is humbleness. The Word also instructs us to be humble or to act with humility (James 4:10, for example). So back to the question, should we be going to God boldly asking?  

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My conclusion after study of His Word is…sometimes. I apologize for such a wishy-washy conclusion, but I don't think the answer is always yes or always no. Don't misunderstand, I think we should always be going to God, but there are times when boldness is appropriate and other times when humbleness is appropriate. Ultimately, when to go to God boldly asking rests with you, your situation, and your relationship with our Lord. I'd say it's a perfect opportunity to get to know Him better.

Dear God, thank you so much for the time spent in your Word today getting to know you better. I proclaim your sovereignty over me, Lord. May I never forget that you are God, and I am not. Thank you for letting me come to you boldly or with humbleness. Please help me discern by your Spirit when to be either. Above all, Lord, thank you for your loving relationship with me. I value it more than anything. Amen.