Do You Have the Audacity to Seek God?

“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 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.” (Luke 11:8-10 NIV)

Audacious people are the best. I mean the kind of audacious people who take big, bold risks, not the impudent or disrespectful kind. I would identify at least one of my kids as audacious, probably encompassing both definitions, though. He can drive me crazy with his disobedience one minute and astound me with his boldness the next. Actually, all my kids can do this, and my own audacious prayer is that they will continue growing to love Jesus so much that they will use this superpower for the good of the world. My one son’s big, bold love for people and willingness to forgive most offenses amazes me. He strikes me as a vocal and visible world-changer, while I would not be surprised if my other kids love and serve the world in quieter, more personal ways.

My boy’s audacity seems really to be an expectation that he will get what he wants or thinks he deserves. He is all about justice. We all know life isn’t fair and, unfortunately, our kids have to learn this lesson at some point—often repeatedly. I read stories to my kids about people who followed Jesus to the ends of the earth to share his love. They served the people to whom they felt called, and their stories continue to inspire. God did not necessarily give them what they wanted, but he did give them circumstances and opportunities that drew them closer to him. My hope is that my son’s desire for personal justice and fairness will turn into a desire to see that in the world and to let God lead that call.

Sometimes my son gets what he wants, not because I am his mom and I love him, but because he will. not. shut. up. He will not back down. He will not let. it. go. Similarly, I believe this is how we should approach God, with the unwillingness to back down, stop asking, or give up, especially when we know the desire of our heart is in line with his Word and character. I know we won’t always get a green light right away. We might wait to see our audacious prayer answered for years, but that does not mean we should stop asking.

Over the past years—at least the last five, maybe longer—my prayer has been to foster. I want to put my money where my mouth is when I say I am pro-life and a Christian. I have asked God about other avenues of taking care of the orphaned, the widowed, and the refugee. Fostering seems to be the thing I keep returning to and the thing that would fit most seamlessly with our family life. We already have five kids, so I admit the idea seems to be a little over the top. We could use a bigger house and a bigger car. Currently, some roadblocks seem to be in the way, but this prayer to love kiddos who need it the most has not left my heart. I think my family is suited to working together and loving each other, and our house is already loud, so what are a few more kids?

I don’t know when or if God will see us through this dream, but I know it is in line with his Word, so I keep right on praying and asking for it. I want to show my kids what audacious prayer and consistently seeking what the Lord has for us look like. I want them to change the world by doing big things if that is their path, but also to know that loving people through our daily lives and offerings is just as valiant.

God has not given up on us. Jesus and the Holy Spirit prove this. What audacious prayer will you approach God with?

Lord, give us the audacity to seek you with boldness. Help us to not give up when the roadblocks of the world seem insurmountable. Help us to dream expansive dreams because we know you are capable of giving us more than we can ask or imagine. Let us love the world and share with our neighbors or visitors in a way that extravagantly shows off your sacrificial love for humanity. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

‘Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”’ (John 6:28-29 NIV)

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (Jas. 1:6 NIV)

“The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.” (1 Tim. 5:5 NIV)

Reach for More

What dreams have you been setting aside because they feel unconquerable? Could they be from God? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the way forward and start watering the seeds God has planted in your life. What does loving audaciously look like for you?

Carla Clemens enjoys a crazy, beautiful life with her military husband, four sons, and a daughter. A baby interrupts her homeschool days in the best ways, and she is always attempting to live with mindfulness of each moment. She hopes to look at the world and each person in it in light of our amazing Creator, and therefore, to see each moment presented as an opportunity to love and serve him more. Carla relishes time to ponder God’s Word and have quiet moments with him and her coffee. She loves doing life with other mamas and encouraging them to simply be who God has made them to be.