What Do You Pray For When You’re Afraid?

What do you ask God for when you’re afraid? The early church didn’t pray for safety—they prayed for boldness. 

Do you love the Lord Jesus but find it difficult to talk about your faith? You have the best intentions, but when the opportunity presents itself, somehow, you clam up or mumble something and let the moment pass.

Don’t beat yourself up! It happens to us all. Even the Apostle Paul was accused of being timid in person but bold in his writing! (See 2 Corinthians 10:1). A couple days ago, while traveling and working on these devotionals in the book of Acts, I sat by two talkative men. I should have engaged with them, I wanted to but instead I clammed up, put in my ear buds and listened to music. Aaaarghh!

If boldness isn’t something that’s natural, how can we develop it? We need to pray for it. That’s what the Apostles did. They understood that God is Sovereign, meaning, his plans are fulfilled on both the individual and global levels. They learned that truth by reading the Old Testament and by being with Jesus. They prayed, in Acts 4:25-31 (ESV), quoting Psalm 2:

“‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’…” 

What I think is profound is that when faced with overwhelming odds, the Apostles didn’t pray for safety, easier circumstances, or even “revival.” They understood that opposition had not surprised God. Psalm 2 had foretold it centuries earlier. Since God was still in control, they didn’t ask Him to remove every obstacle. They asked Him for boldness to keep speaking about Jesus.

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

God’s purpose is to exalt Jesus and save all who will believe in him. You and I must understand there will be powerful resistance against biblical truth and us speaking positively about Jesus. We must ask God for boldness and to demonstrate his power through us.

The Apostle Paul concluded, “Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:18-19 NIV).

Today, think about the last opportunity you missed to speak about Jesus. Don’t dwell on your failure—bring it to God. Then ask Him for what the early church requested: not easier circumstances, but greater boldness. The same Holy Spirit who empowered them still empowers believers today.