And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Final Greetings
21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.
23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 24 May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:19-24
Paul, who was currently in chains but still preaching the gospel, followed up the list of instructions for God’s armor with the instruction for prayers and petitions (specific requests). He urged the believers to stay alert so they would know how to pray through the battles. Then, Paul gets personal and shares a prayer request for himself. I am always blessed and inspired when I read his words. This man had been changed from the inside out, transformed from a hater and enemy of Christ followers to a bold and faithful proclaimer of the Gospel. Yet, he understands that he is in the midst of a battle that he cannot fight in his own strength. He understands the need for God’s strength and guidance. He understands the power of prayer and calls on the believers to pray for him, that God would give him the right words so that, even in chains, he could boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. He reminded the believers that he was in chains, but remained God’s ambassador, preaching the gospel message. He asked them to pray that he would keep on speaking boldly for God, as he should.
Gotquestions.org defines Paul before his conversion as “a religious terrorist,” and rightly so, based on Acts 8:3, which states, “Paul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.” However, the narrative of Paul changes in Acts 9:1-22 where we read of Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus. A road he was traveling for the purpose of bringing any known followers of Jesus back to Jerusalem to put them in prison. However, after meeting Jesus along the way, his life was forever changed1 from that of a “religious terrorist” to a missionary taking the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles.
Friends, this verse/passage is a beautiful reminder and vivid example that we are never alone in the battle(s) we face. Not only is God with us, but His people, our brothers and sisters in Christ, are a battalion of soldiers (whether side-by-side with us or in the trenches of prayer)’suited up” and ready to march into battle with us. May we, like Paul, understand the importance/necessity of prayer for every battle and never hesitate to share our needs and situations with one another so that we are covered with the prayers of God’s people.
The More We Know
For more insight on today’s journey, read today’s LGG blog
Me From the Inside Out 