If you have a personal need, most of us would hesitate to ask a stranger for help. However, when you observe a beggar on the street, they don't care whether someone is rich, poor, young, or old—they boldly ask everyone for assistance without hesitation. This attitude of a beggar is Shameless Audacity.
Bible teaches of this Shameless Audacity in Luke 11, Where Jesus talks on Prayer and he gives a example of friend and explains the same
Luke 11:5-7 'Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ '
Luke 11:8 '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. '
"Shameless audacity" refers to:
Acting with boldness or daring, without concern for shame, guilt, or social propriety.
A fearless, sometimes reckless, disregard for societal expectations or the potential judgment of others.
It can be seen in a positive light, as the courage to ask or take action without fear.
Bible uses this word “Shameless audacity” in the context of Prayer, Our Lord wants us to ask God without any shame, without any fear, with boldness. God wants this attitude of shameless audacity in our prayer with him.
Lord’s Prayer
If you read few verses prior to this Jesus teaches us how to Pray
Luke 11:2-4 'He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ”'
Luke 11:2-4 is a pattern for Prayer taught by Jesus.
We call it Lord’s prayer, not because Jesus prayed it, but because Jesus taught it.
Luke 11:2-4 is a pattern prayer given to guide us in our own prayer - Refer Matt 6:9-15.
True prayer is rooted in a spiritual relationship with God that allows us to address Him as "Father." This relationship is possible only through faith in Jesus Christ. When you say "Father," it signifies your faith in Christ, and through Him, you are able to call God your Father. Consider the profound significance of simply saying "Father" in prayer—God acknowledges you as His child, and you call Him Father because of this special bond.
Romans 8:14-17 'For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. '
Galatians 4:1-7 'What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “ Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. '
When you pray, you talk to God.
Many times, we lose sight of this truth and reduce prayer to simply asking God for what we want. Sadly, this is where much of Christianity has been led, with many believing that prayer is only about presenting our needs to God. But remember, when you pray, you are having a conversation with God. No other religion allows direct communication with God without an intermediary. Through Christ's work on the cross, He has made it possible for people like you and me to speak directly to God through prayer.
Embrace These Responsibilities for Shameless Audacity
Luke 11:2 'He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. '
First and foremost of prayer is to honour God's kingdom and seek the fulfillment of His will, as we see in Luke 11:2.
Prayer is not about simply telling God what we want and then selfishly enjoying those desires. Rather, it involves asking Him, "What can I do to help bring Your kingdom to earth?”
Prayer is asking God to use us to accomplish what he wants so that his name is glorified.
To fulfill His will, it is essential for us to know the Word of God in order to understand His will.
We must never separate word and prayer John 15:7 'If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. '
Once we are secure in our relationship with God and His will, we can bring our requests to Him. As stated in Luke 11:3-4 Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’ ”'
We can ask him to provide our needs (not our greeds) for today, to forgive us for what we have done yesterday, and to guide us in the future.
All our needs may be included in this requests
Material needs
Physical provisions
Moral guidance
Spiritual guidance / growth
Divine Direction and protection
When we Pray, we will definitely seek God’s will.
Prayer with “shameless audacity” isn’t just about persistently asking God for our earthly needs. He is our Father and already knows what we need. Many of us misinterpret this, becoming focused on material desires and asking for things we already possess. The prayer Jesus teaches is about seeking God's will and the coming of His kingdom. This is a vital truth we must understand. Too often, we lose sight of this and prioritize our personal needs over God's will. As Scripture assures us, God will provide for our needs. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:25: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” He, as our Father, promises to take care of every aspect of our lives.
Persistence in prayer cultivates a sense of shameless audacity within us, as mentioned in Luke 11:5-8.
If a tired and selfish neighbour eventually fulfills the needs of a bothersome friend, how much more will a loving Heavenly Father provide for His beloved children?
"Shameless audacity" means asking repeatedly and without hesitation, boldly and daringly, without concern for shame, guilt, or social norms.
When we ask with that same sense of shamelessness as a beggar, He cares for us just as He cares for His children, serving as a testament to the world that He can be trusted.
Persistent prayer is not about trying to change God's mind with "Thy will be done," but rather about positioning ourselves so that He can trust us with the answer.
Promises for Prayer with “Shameless audacity”
“Keep on asking .. Keep on seeking .. Keep on knocking.. as he says in his next verses in Luke 11:9-10 ' “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. '
We can also rephrase this to say: Don’t approach God only during midnight emergencies or treat Him like an ATM machine; instead, maintain constant communication with your Father.
Paul explained this well 1 Thessalonians 5:17 'pray continually, '
As we pray God will either answer or show us why he cannot answer
We need to understand that He loves us, and we should never fear the answers He provides. Everything that comes from Him is always good. Luke 11:11-13 illustrates and reinforces this: “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
So ask “Father” with shameless audacity: “Father, what can I do to fulfill Your will here on earth? Guide me in Your plans. You know my physical and spiritual needs; You are the Creator of everything and own it all. You say and it will be done. Help me to align my life to Your will, and I surrender myself to Your work, enabling me to carry out Your purpose today and establishing plans for Your future works. Forgive me for my past sins that have become obstacles to doing Your will. Cleanse me, remove those barriers, and guide me with Your Holy Spirit to fulfill Your plans.”
Amen