Pray boldly

September 21, 2026 • View profile •

James 4:2 reminds us that there are things we do not have in life because we do not ask. God will not automatically fill your bank account with billions of dollars to buy a vacation home in Hawaii and a yacht. But, he might just make sure you are fed and pay your normal bills.

I believe sometimes we are tempted to not ask God for things because we are afraid He will not answer, we think what we are asking for is selfish, or perhaps we might be hesitant in the way He will answer and we might not like how He answers.

I remember a friend telling me many years ago to "never pray for patience - because you will really not like how God makes you learn patience". It was so funny, but it is so true isn't it?

But God wants us to pray. He not only wants us to pray. He wants us to pray boldly.

"Let us therefore come boldy unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy" - Hebews 4:16

It is the throne of God. It is the throne of holiness.

It, perhaps, should be a place that most people would be frightened to approach. Perhaps they are afraid to approach the throne because of their sins, their insecurities, their vulnerabilities, or their fears. But, God says to come boldly and ask.

Why? Because it is the throne that transforms judgment into mercy, judgment into grace, and the throne that showers down the living water of redemption.

We approach the throne not as a criminal approaching a judge in a courtroom. We approach the throne as a child walking up to their Father and asking for help.

What is it that you are not prayed for or sought God's answer for because you were afraid? What is it that you thought was too "small" or "insignificant" or "not important" enough to pray about and to approach God about in prayer? Pray for it now.

The Lord loves you. He wants to meet you where you are and take you to places you never imagined. He wants to shower you with grace and goodness, mercy and forgiveness. He wants to usher you into eternal life.

He wants you to live a life of fullness here on earth while you await your chance to live with Him for eternity.

Go ahead and pray. Go ahead and ask God for things you have been holding onto because you thought they were too small or didn't matter. Go ahead and pray boldy.

Bold prayers result in bold answers from the Lord.

About the Author

Catholic365 Contributor

Amelia Monroe Carlson

Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.

During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.

After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.

Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.

Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.

She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.

To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-7161.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)

Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson

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Pray boldly

About the Author

Amelia Monroe Carlson

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