We studied Ephesians 6 this week at Summer Roundtable. The discussion was a rich time in the Word.
This passage reminds us that the armor of God is essential to spiritual victory. Studying Ephesians 6, we see what Paul instructs that is essential after one has put on the armor of God.
17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.
There is one action that we are commanded to do throughout the entire battle. Did you catch it (v. 18)?
We are to pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request.
If you think about it, most of the armor of God is defensive. Did you notice what are the two offensive aspects of this armor? The Bible and prayer are the two offensive weapons in the lives of the believer.
I love reading the prayer request of Paul. It give me so much hope!
Paul’s prayer request was that he would be bold with the gospel.
Paul, who is the systematic theologian of the Bible, asked for prayers that when he spoke he would speak with boldness.
The missionary who penned the words “I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Rom. 1:16) still asked for others to pray that he wouldn’t shrink back.
He also asked for people to pray that God would open doors to share the gospel with others (Col. 4:3). He was rallying prayer support so that he could fight against the schemes of the devil in his life and in his ministry.
If he asked for others to pray for boldness in his life, why wouldn’t we pray that ourselves?
We all have shared prayer requests before. In most situations, we pray for the sick and those who have lost a loved one. These things are wonderful and needed topics of prayer.
But how often do we ask for people to pray for us that we would be bold in sharing the gospel?
- Who do you need to share the gospel with?
- What people of prayer could you send a message to right now and ask that they would pray you would be bold to share the gospel?
This not only provides prayer support but it also provides accountability. Send out those messages and then pray that God will open up a door for you and that you walk through it with boldness when it is opened.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.