Biblical Teaching on Prayer

Ephesians 6:19-20

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, 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.
~ Apostle Paul

Pondering Point

We are ambassadors for Jesus. Our teaching on prayer this week comes out of the heart of the Apostle Paul. After calling for prayers on behalf of all believers, he specifically asks for prayers to be lifted up on his behalf as an ambassador for the gospel. He wanted to make sure that people experienced the true God, the God of the Bible, the God of our Father Jesus Christ who would send His only Son to perish so that we would not perish but have everlasting life.

Who do you see lifting up this type of prayer today? Pastors? People in other countries? Could this become a prayer you raise in your own soul: To be a fearless “ambassador”? Who would you ask to pray for you? If the phrase “in chains” were removed from the prayer, could this be a prayer request you might ask to be shared for you? Are you an ambassador for Christ? Check out 2nd Corinthians 5:11-21 as you consider your answer, then turn to the prayer for the day.

2nd Corinthians 5:11-21

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Prayer for the Day

Father God, I pray that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador. May I and (…mention others who share the Gospel…) declare it fearlessly, as we should. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Prayer Thoughts
Chapter 8

To get unquestioned answers to my prayers was not only important as to the satisfying of my desires, but was also evidence of my abiding in Christ. The mere act of my praying was no test of God’s relationship to me. But to pray and receive clear answers, not just once or twice, but daily, is the sure test that by His grace I have a connection to Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. Faith teaches it is God’s will to answer prayer. How well assured the answer to prayer is, when that answer will glorify God the Father! John tells us: “so that the Father may be glorified…” And Jesus Christ is eager to glorify his Father in heaven.

[Read pages 54-57 in Keep Me and Keep All.]
~ Keep Me and Keep All, Smith