January 9, 2015

“Pray On My Behalf…”

Blessings folk!

Let us look at the full sentence.
Often in Paul’s writing in the epistles the sentences are long. In examining them folk often miss the large, overall picture.

Ephesians 6:18-20
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

We as believers have been instructed/commanded to pray/petition at all time in the Spirit.
To be on the alert will all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

Paul then request that they pray for him.
He was always bold and forthright in requesting prayer for his circumstances.
He was always clear, without whining and complaining, about what had happened to him.
Look at what he requested.

• For them to pray on his behalf
• He was specific in that which they are to pray...that utterance/words would be given to him to speak the gospel
• that boldness would be given to him to speak the mystery of the gospel

Paul was literally imprisoned.
Bound in chains.
Yet, his desire was not to procure his release…though certainly he wanted such.
His desire was to speak the words of the gospel in boldness, whether free or in prison.

He realized that the chains did not change the calling of ambassador - one who represents.

We should live likewise.

Boldly proclaiming the mystery of the gospel regardless of where we are.

Do so.