19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should. ~ Ephesians 6:19-20CSB
So many times when we think about Paul, we just think about how great of a hero of the faith he was. We think about all the great miracles, the powerful signs and wonders that followed him, and the marvelous mysteries he revealed, but rarely do we ever think about the weakness of Paul. We almost elevate him as more than a man because we find it almost impossible to see him as struggling the same way we do today. Even though Paul did great things, he was still a man with flesh that he had to crucify daily, and spiritual warfare he had to fight daily.
When Paul struggled, he didn’t keep it to himself. He requested prayer for those things. He didn’t try to battle them alone. He understood the importance of prayer. So, he requested that they pray for his boldness. Imagine that Paul, the greatest Apostle to ever live, has to ask other people to pray for him to speak boldly. That doesn’t seem like the Paul we’re taught about, but it was the actions of the Paul of the Bible.
Paul never once tried to portray himself as perfect or without struggle. He constantly spoke about his weaknesses. He boasted in them. Something he struggled with was speaking boldly, but he didn’t let that stop him. He prayed about it and then asked others to pray about it for him., but he didn’t stop there. Paul, after praying, went out and spoke boldly. He put that prayer request into action.
James explained that prayer without action is useless. Therefore, what did Paul do? He did the very thing that he prayed about. He went out and spoke to the people and didn’t stop until his last breath. Paul didn’t preach because it was easy. Paul preached because that is the call. He understood it was better to speak and face the wrath of the world than to be silent and face the wrath of God.
Paul was a man just like us; the difference was that he was a man of prayer and action. We each have the call to tell others of the Good News of Christ, regardless of backlash, offense, or the wrath of the world. Our main general call is to be the light of the world while Christ is on His throne.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be That Light.