A Prayer for Boldness
By: Emily Rose Massey
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion” - Proverbs 28:1
The last few years it seems there has been constant brutal violence and restlessness among people in our nation that has been ever-increasing and ever before our eyes and in our social media newsfeeds.
So much hatred and violence toward fellow man, so much strife and division in our land, stone cold and bitter hearts towards anyone who may look different than us or think differently than us.
Most definitely, when we see injustice, it should cause us to want to rise up and say something, yet our message as believers proclaiming the solution to such hatred and violence should be vastly different than what the world offers. The imagery in Proverbs 28:1 reveals such a contrast between the world and God’s people:
“The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are [a]bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1, NASB).
As believers, we must be bold as lions and not shy away from speaking truth when the world may want to flee from truth.
The problem is sin.
The answer is the Gospel.
It all begins and ends in the heart.
Deceit and the growth of sin abounds in our day. Church, we must take a stand against both for the sake of the Gospel! We must declare that the supreme demonstration of God’s provision for sinful humanity is seen in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
We must proclaim that the only way a person can see a change of heart is to become born again (John 3:3)! Such internal transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit results in a new life conforming to Christ’s character. Once a person believes the Gospel and trusts in Christ for their righteousness, the Spirit is given by God to indwell and empower the Christian to reflect more closely the character of our Savior (Galatians 5:22–23).
Human effort will not transform the heart of the sinner. Only God can change a hard heart of stone and make it a heart of flesh and that, my friends, is only done through the power found in acknowledging their need of a Savior from their wretched sin and believing the gospel that truly saves souls and changes hearts! Jesus, give us the boldness to proclaim it!
Father,
We are living in a day unlike anything we have ever seen before. Chaos, confusion, and turmoil has been stirring in the hearts of so many people.
We trust that justice belongs in Your hand, but we also trust that You have a great plan for us to see hearts transformed and lives changed.
Jesus, thank You for Your mercy that was displayed upon the cross that has given those who call upon Your name and trust in you for forgiveness and new life. We want to be a part of Your great redemptive plan in the earth.
Help us fix our eyes on Christ when we are tempted to only look at the problems around us. We are asking that You would give us the boldness to proclaim the only solution to what our world is experiencing and that is Your glorious Gospel!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Emily Massey began writing short stories and poetry as a little girl, entered the blogging world in her early 20s, and published her first book in 2015. She enjoys being a stay-at-home momma while still being able to pursue her passion as a writer. Believing she has been forgiven much, she loves much, and desires to point others to Christ and His redemptive and transforming power, especially by sharing truth found in God’s written word. If you would like to connect with Emily, you can visit www.emilyrosemassey.com.
Related Resource: Starting 2026 with Intention: Confidence, Diligence, and God’s Direction
As we begin a brand-new year, I want to help you slow down and listen for God’s invitation in your life. In this episode, we kick off our One Word 2026 series — a simple, prayerful way to reflect on where you’ve been and discern how God may be inviting you to grow in the year ahead.
I introduce the heart behind choosing a spiritual “one word,” not as a goal to achieve, but as a posture to receive. We explore two of the six words I’ll be offering this month — confidence and diligence — and look at how Scripture invites us to grow, not by relying on our own strength, but by trusting God’s faithfulness over time.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
