Boldness in prayer comes from having a knowledge of something called “binding precedent.” If you can grasp this truth, it will forever change the way you pray. A precedent is a “preceding case” that serves as an example in subsequent cases. And a “binding precedent” is a legal decision made in the past that becomes an authoritative rule for similar cases in the future. For judges, this means having to stand by a decision that has already been made.
You may be enjoying a season of good times right now — no great stress, discouraging tests or deep pain. I am grateful to the Lord for providing such seasons in the lives of his children. But we know from Scripture that storms and great trials eventually come to all who have truly given everything to Christ. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
“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). “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:12).
The Lord rules over all of creation with majesty and power. His laws govern the whole universe — all of nature, every nation, and all the affairs of men. He rules over the seas, the planets, the heavenly bodies and all their movements.
“He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations” (Psalm 66:7). “The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength … Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting … Your testimonies are very sure” (Psalm 93:1-2, 5).
Our heavenly Father wants us to have an abiding assurance of his love. Jesus settled our sin problem at Calvary and even though we sometimes fail, the Holy Spirit is constantly reminding us of the Father’s lovingkindness. When we become focused on our sin, we lose all sight of what God wants most: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people …To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life” (Luke 1:68, 74-75).
Heaven! The promise of heaven is at the very core of the gospel, yet we do not hear much on this joyful subject these days. In fact, the Bible does not say much about what heaven is like. Jesus did not sit down with the disciples and explain the glory and majesty of heaven. He did say to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise,” but he did not describe it (Luke 23:43).
John the Baptist was a man of the Word. He had spent his entire life studying the Scriptures in solitude and meditating on the law. He had pointed to Jesus and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). He had seen the Holy Spirit descend on Christ as a dove and heard the Father’s voice declare Jesus to be his own Son. Yet, John found himself in prison, his powerful, anointed ministry cut short by the wicked King Herod (see Luke 3:19-20). Now the crowds who had followed John were gone — the “voice of one crying in the wilderness” silenced.
King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden idol in Babylon and demanded that it be worshiped. Every official, leader and citizen in Babylon’s one hundred-plus provinces had to fall down before this god or face death — roasted alive in huge ovens. However, three devout young Jews in the kingdom refused to bow and the furious king had them thrown into the fiery furnace.
There is a cost to being completely sold out to God but there is also a great reward. When you are lukewarm, having a form of godliness without power — not overly sinful nor overly holy — you are accepted and your life is relatively quiet. You are no trouble to anyone, not even the devil.