Courageous Prayer

Courageous prayer may not be a term you hear a lot, BUT, the truth is, it wouldn't be. WHY? I don't believe  Christians are really about courageous prayer, but rather they want to know the quickest way to get a prayer by God.

The reality is that, this type of prayer doesn't really work-AT ALL. We are in a hurry, worried about our own issues, and to think of taking time out our day to pray when we have meetings and obligations doesn't suit us.

REALLY?

What if God said he didn't have time for you? Where would you be then? What would you do without any favor from the ALMIGHTY GOD?

Courageous Prayer Means Being Bold 

It has been said that, "to be bold is to be a REAL Christian." What would you say to that? Do you get angry, or do you agree? 

Think about the last time you prayed deeply for someone. Did you go to God with everything in you? Or, did you just simply go with leftovers when you felt "up to it". I have had those days, I won't lie. I am honest, and truthfully, God has HIS way with me. 

Let me tell you a story about failure to be bold, and lifting up one of my sisters in Christ in courageous prayer. 

I went to lunch with a friend of mine, and we were talking about her separation from her husband. It was bad, and I could relate, and I only gave advice when she asked. The thing is, I didn't agree with her decision, because I just didn't see it. It just sounded like she just wanted to give up, and go the easy way out. 

I told her I would pray for her, and I did, but I was lazy. My prayer was weak, and it went something like this. 

"Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for Lila, that you would give her wisdom and strength in dealing with her husband. I pray for her children that you would give them a peace that passes all understanding." That was it. I was so tired, so I thought, "Oh, I'll get back to it." Two weeks later my phone rings, and I was sickened. 

"We are getting a divorce. I'm tired, I'm just so tired, I'm done. I love my kids, but I'm tired of being used, and just run ragged. I clean house, that is all I do. I'm sick of it." 

Wow. 

I was tired too, and so.....here we are. I am an intercessor, and I know that. I am called to be set apart, but oh well, I'm tired. I had the fire, but oh well. This is the new age of Christians, and God is sorely displeased. 

He wants courageous prayer, bold prayer, and he wants willing servants. He is tired of our attitude, BUT he loves us anyhow. 

HE interceeds for us. Aren't you glad God never gets tired of us and our shenanigans? What if God just said, oh well, I'm tired. You want healing? Oh well, I'm tired. Wow, just wow. Where would we be? 

Courageous prayer. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Live courageously!

Franklin D Roosevelt a Courageous Leader

Franklin D Roosevelt might be the last person you were thinking of today, but he was one of the men that came up on our list over and over again for being a picture of courage that would never die. Not only was he a President of our country, but he was a President that represented many different types of people. 

FDR, what so many called him for short, could relate to the individual that felt they had nothing to offer, simply because he had a disability. The truth is, the only disability that any of us ever have, is when we just choose not to try! 

So, what about him was so amazing that it had people talking? He led our country through what many viewed as a country wide disability with a big economic disaster, and it's the underlying lesson that you may not see that we are going to share today that really matters most when it comes to courage! 

The Strength of Franklin D Roosevelt 

Franklin D Roosevelt was a dominant leader for the Democratic party, and not to mention he was one of the strongest ever noted. It was his strength that showed the American people why he should have been elected to multiple terms, and he certainly was. While it seems today's choices run for two terms, once it's over, there isn't enough of a lasting impression to get re-elected. 

Could that perhaps be the one missing building block of our culture as to why we feel that we don't have sufficient leadership or courage to make the big decisions for our country? The votes of the American people have spoken, and these days perhaps they have NOT spoken well. 

See, it used to be that a leader could be easily detected, and leaders were ones that made decisions with discretion. today, decisions are made flippantly, and with very little thought. Major decisions are being made by folks that have very little life or leadership experience. 

Sad wouldn't you say? 

This is why Franklin D Roosevelt was chosen as a profile in courage. Not only was he a great decision maker, but he had a great wife that stood by him, and because he was bound to a wheelchair he could relate to so many people at the same time. He understood pain, and he knew how to deal with it.  

Could it be that because he learned this on a personal level that he was able to identify with this on many levels for the country's sake? 

Now that you know more about this President, can you see why he was elected multiple times? If you were to read his biography, you could learn more about him and his personal life and why he was such a favorite. 

Study Americans that are known for their courage, and follow their example. I hope that you enjoyed reading this, and just remember that it's always best to live courageously!

Abraham Lincoln a Courageous Man

As we look at profiles of courageous leaders, it's no surprise that Abraham Lincoln would be at the top of the list. Lincoln is known as a leader for many different reasons, and he has no doubt been the topic of conversation this past year as the movie that came out was all the rage about Lincoln and his life.

When the movie starts out, it hits home what he was all about, and when talking with the African American soldiers, he knew that he still stood behind abolishing slavery no matter what. Why? Because the men he spoke to were just like you and me, and they were fighting just the same as white men.

It took courage to stand up for what he believed in, and make no mistake that what he believed was on target with our God stands for and created us for. To help our fellow man, and to live life courageously.

Abraham Lincoln Among Courageous Leaders of All Time 

While Abraham Lincoln was courageous for taking a stand against slavery, for what other reasons was he considered a courageous leader? 

Lincoln was a family man, and was dedicated to having his young son around almost all of the time, even when he was out and about trying to find more men to side with him against slavery. He read as many books as he could so that he could learn. 

He begged his mother for books to read because he grew up poor, and at that time he was believed to be among those that wouldn't get opportunities like the other children. 

No matter what happened, nothing seemed to phase Lincoln, and as a result of determination to learn and read, he was becoming more educated by the minute. If you have never seen his list of failures until he got to where he wanted to be, then now would be a great time to take a look at it. 

List of Failures of Abraham Lincoln

List of Lincoln's failures

A common list of the failures of Abraham Lincoln (along with a few successes) is:

1831 - Lost his job

1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature

1833 - Failed in business

1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)

1835 - Sweetheart died

1836 - Had nervous breakdown

1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker

1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress

1846 - Elected to Congress (success)

1848 - Lost re-nomination

1849 - Rejected for land officer position

1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate

1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President

1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate

1860 - Elected President (success)

Now that you have read this list, how does it make you see things differently? The truth is, "Abraham Lincoln" is one of the best examples you could ever follow. Make it a point to study the folks that we are talking about to have a solid idea of how to pattern your life. 

Be proud of the fact that you wish to live courageously, and let others know by wearing it too! Be sure to check back for the next profile of courageous leaders, and CLICK HERE to learn how you can wear your courage today!