Last week we started looking at Paul’s words to the Ephesian believers in Ephesians 6:18-20.  

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:18-20

Paul urged them to “be alert”. 1 Peter 5:8 put that same exhortation this way: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Christ’s followers have a true enemy. He is powerful, but God is far 

superior and powerful, and He is on our side, when we belong to Jesus.

The next instruction Paul gives is to “always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people”. I have a prayer book [My prayer book is a composition book that I write the names of people and matters I’m praying about.], and that helps me to pray for God’s people. What are you using to help you to remember to pray in the Spirit and in the truth for Christ’s followers?

Paul provided the Ephesian believers with a request for prayer. Please note how this request is eternally minded, and God-honoring: “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel”. This is an example of a prayer we can ask for ourselves, and for other Christ followers. 

This request from Paul coincides with what we often hear termed as “the Great Commission” given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus has the authority to equip us to make the Gospel known. He desires that we ask Him for that equipping, which is what Paul states in the above passage to the Ephesians.

Paul reminded the Ephesians that he was in prison, but he did not fuss about it, instead, he recognized his calling as Christ’s “ambassador”. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines ambassador as: “an authorized representative or messenger.” This is exactly what we are when we belong to Jesus. We are His the bearers of His message, and we need His empowerment to make His message known!  

No matter the hardships Paul encountered, He made certain to share the Gospel message, because the eternal welfare of others is far superior to our creature comforts on this earth. One day God’s people will live with Jesus without troubles. But God has us here now, to be His ambassadors.

How should we be declaring the Gospel?  Paul states it in his closing words in the above passage from Ephesians: “Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should”. 

We should proclaim the amazing Good News – Great News – of eternal life to people fearlessly!

Why can we do this? When we belong to Jesus we can do this because He has all power, all authority in heaven and earth, and He equips His people, through His Holy Spirit, with courage.

Do you want to fearlessly and boldly proclaim Christ’s work on the cross, or do you shrink back in fear of rejection? One is an act of faith, the other is an act of sin. 

It’s easy to make excuses why we shouldn’t share truth with others, but God calls us to be His ambassadors to make Him known. 

However, we must do this as we pray in the Spirit, and communicate with God, carefully listening to His voice, and not heading out like a bull in a china store. When we listen and obey God’s voice, as Paul exemplifies, we can fearlessly make Jesus known to others. Praying in the Spirit takes place when our spirit connects with God’s Holy Spirit, and we enter into a time of communication with our God. 

There is nothing more enjoyable, than to communicate with God, obey Him, and to share His Gospel, His message of love and hope to others.

If something is holding you back from fearlessly making Christ known, why not talk with God about it, and also with someone who is bold for Jesus? Perhaps there is something askew in your relationship with God that needs to be worked out before He equips you with courage.

Why not take the necessary time to interact with God to remove fear, and experience His equipping to be His ambassador?

You can find some other thoughts on prayer in my blogs that were published on: January 24, 2024 and March 6, 2024.

I’m always available to chat. You can reach me at:  ButGodCares@gmail.com.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!

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Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.