Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel."
Text: Ephesians 6:19
A HUMBLE RECOGNITION
Paul may have been a seasoned apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, nevertheless he humbly admitted that he desired the Ephesians to pray for him. Everyone who serves the Lord will humbly confess the need for intercessory prayer support.
SIMILAR REQUEST FOR PRAYER SUPPORT
Let us take time to consider another text where Paul requested prayer support from his readers.
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ,
and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together
with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered
from those in Judea who do not believe and that my
service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
that I may come to you with joy by the will of God,
and may be refreshed together with you.
ROMANS 15:30-32
What are some of the things we may pray for, as we learn how to pray for those who serve the Lord..
1. Pray for deliverance from enemies of the Gospel
Paul was a special target of enemies of the Gospel. He suffered much in the hands of these enemies. They dogged him, they rioted against him, they framed him and ultimately they plotted his death! What is the best way to help Paul? The answer is obvious- “prayer and supplication in the Spirit”.
2. Pray for ministry to be acceptable
Paul never took for granted any aspect of his ministry for the Lord. He preached as an evangelist, he founded churches, he made disciples, and he battled false teachers time and again. He also found time to bring relief to suffering brethren in Jerusalem. He asked for prayer support that his ministry for Him would be “acceptable to the saints”.
3. Pray for the will of God to be discerned and obeyed
God’s will has never been easy to comprehend, let alone obeyed. He asked for prayer that all he sought to do for the Lord might be within the will of God.
4. Courage to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
One must never take for granted that the preaching of God’s word is easier to a veteran servant of God. Paul refused to take his preaching ministry for granted. He asked for prayer support to be filled with courage to preach as he always had! His message of the Gospel of Christ greatly offended the Jews. But Paul knew that there could be no compromise where truth is concerned. Hence, the request for prayer support- for courage in ministry.