Do you carry a deep pain or longing you’ve never fully expressed to God? Maybe you’re afraid of being disappointed if He doesn’t answer the way you hope. Or maybe you’ve poured out your heart already—and it feels like nothing has changed.
As I reflected on bold prayers, the Lord brought Hebrews 11:6 to mind:
“And 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 seek Him” (Heb. 11:6 NASB).
The phrase “believe that He is” reminded me of Jesus’ words in John 8:58 (NLT):
“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!’”
BlueLetterBible.org traces both “He is” and “I Am” to the same Greek root word: eimi.
To believe that God is means to believe He is the Great I Am.
Remember how Jesus described Himself?
He is:
- The Bread of Life (John 6:35)
- The Light of the World (John 9:5)
- The Door for His sheep (John 10:7)
- The Son of God (John 10:36)
- The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
- The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
- The Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8)
- The Almighty (Revelation 1:8)
- The First and the Last (Revelation 1:17)
Sometimes I find it helpful to personalize these truths:
He nourishes my soul.
He provides light in dark times.
He is my Shepherd—protecting me and guiding me on the right path.
When we come to Him in prayer, we must believe that He is all that He says He is—especially in the face of our current need.
He is our:
- Promise-Keeper
- Provider
- Wisdom
- Redeemer
- Savior
- Counselor
- Comforter
- Healer
- Lord and Master
He is ever-present. That means He’s with me and the ones I’m praying for—right now. Secret meetings, closed countries, and the halls of power can’t keep Him out. Our children’s schools can’t shut Him out. His presence is with our soldiers in foreign lands and with our loved ones in hospital rooms.
Our God is all-knowing and understands the details of our concerns better than we do. He empathizes with our pain, disappointment, and loneliness. He knows the future, the solution, and the perfect way to handle what troubles us.
Remembering who I’m praying to inflates my faith with hope—and helps me believe the rest of the verse: “that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
When I infuse my prayers with hope and confidence, I’m reminded to seek Him, not just the answer I imagined. Sometimes, He has something better in mind—like when Mary and Martha prayed for their brother Lazarus to be healed, and instead, Jesus used his death to reveal His power over the grave.
To seek Him in prayer means seeking:
- His will
- His way
- His glory
And He promises to reward those who earnestly seek Him. No challenge we face is greater than the One to whom we pray. Our big God is worthy of bold Spirit-led prayers.
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8 NLT).
Bold prayers begin with bold belief: that God is and He rewards those who seek Him. Don’t let fear of disappointment silence your longing—take it to the Great I Am. #Faith #Prayer #ChristianLiving Share on X
Blessings,
Resources to Build Your Faith
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My favorite part of this excellent reflection is your statement to remember to seek HIM, not just the answer to our prayer. Thank you for that reminder!
That makes such a difference, doesn’t it? Thanks, Kim.
That is definitely the foundation – to pray bold prayers we have to trust Him and to trust Him is to know Who He is. Even this week I wasn’t sure how to pray for a situation and just asked Him to work it out and He did – better than what I could’ve asked and in a way I never would’ve considered.
I love that, Ann! Why do some of us think we have to come up with a solution for Him to implement?
What an encouraging message! Thank you.
Thank you, Jane!
I love that He is a rewarder of those that seek Him. Thanks for the reminder that He is the I am and is ever present in our lives.
I feel my insides relax when I focus on that. Thanks, Karen.
This is a good reminder for me to remember to look at Him and not the waves. Thank you.
Amen! Thank you, Ashley.
Great reminders–especially about seeking Him, not just the answers we think are best.
Thanks, Barbara. Sometimes we get so focused on what we think is best we forget His ways are so much higher.
Wonderful reminders. You have pointed to the powerful importance of knowing God and His character. ” When we come to Him in prayer, we must believe that He is all that He says He is—especially in the face of our current need.” As we bring our current need before Him, we will remember how He has responded in the past. Our history with God will keep us grounded in His Word, His works, and in Him. Beautiful encouragement to read this morning!
Joanne, you’re so right. Recalling His faithfulness in our lives grounds us when our world feels so unstable.
Great message Debbie and such encouragement for me to pray bold and to seek Him. Thank you.
Thank you, Yvonne. I’ve been trying to practice focusing on the One to whom I pray.