Pray for a Fearless Witness!

Pray for a Fearless Witness  – My Daily Bread!

Our comfort in Christ is taken from Ephesians 6: 19-20, NIV, which reads:

“Pray also for me, that when I open my mouth, 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.” 

The Apostle Paul wrote this prayer request to the Church in Ephesus while he was a prisoner in chains in Rome.  One would think that there were many things the he could have asked the Church to pray for, being freed from prison being one of them.  So it is interesting that He did not request prayers for his comfort or his release or about himself personally.  Instead he looked forward to what he needed to fulfill his commission.  Paul asked for their prayers to fearlessly preach the gospel and for the right words to say when the opportunity arose.

Paul was always looking for ways to advance God’s truth, and keeping with his desire to witness to the “unpreached”, he eagerly looked for opportunities to share God’s Word in all his circumstances.  Paul knew that God had the power to give him all he needed to be effective in his witness.  Although he was a gifted preacher and teacher capable of delivering God’s message, he still trusted and relied on God’s strength not his own!  He did not presume upon God’s grace, never reasoning that since he made a good witness the last time, he could do it again; Paul continually asked for God to give him the proper boldness and the right things to say.

I would think that many of us would have to be the first to admit that when being unfairly treated our first thoughts   are not to pray to God to give us the courage to witness about Him more effectively to the people who are treating us unfairly?  And if we are real honest with ourselves we might admit that this is not in the top 5 things that we consider regarding the situation if it is considered at all.  Paul would view these as missed opportunities to bring the light of God to someone in need of Christ.

Later Paul would remind Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1: 6, NIV) because it appears that Timothy may have become timid in his preaching and teaching in the face of opposition.  He further encouraged Timothy by reminding him that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”  (2 Timothy 1: 7, NIV)

These words were written for our encouragement also!  Saints ask the Lord for the courage to proclaim Him, to fearlessly share His truth of Grace through our Lord Christ Jesus.  Trust and rely on Him for what to say, ask for His words in every situation,  for every opportunity will be different; and watch the Lord “fan into flame the Gift” He has given you to glorify His name!

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