Boldly

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:19-20

It is good to know that people are praying for you. As Paul moves toward the completion of his epistle to the Ephesians, he requests prayer for himself.  He is a spiritual father asking for the prayers of his children in the faith.  His particular request is fascinating.  He is in prison, but does not ask for freedom.  He does not request an improvement of his circumstances.  He desires that the Ephesians pray that God would give him boldness to make much of Christ.  He wants opportunity and ability ‘to make known, the mystery of the gospel.’  The ‘mystery of the gospel’ is the Person and Work of Christ.  Of all the things for which Paul could ask, he asks for the ability to proclaim Christ.  Because Paul was ‘in bonds’ he was unable to move about freely.  This gave him opportunities to speak to soldiers and jailors who were essentially a captive audience.  He desired boldness enough to ask for it twice. If Christ is worth knowing, then His message is worth telling.  If the Spirit can produce fruit in us, then He can give us boldness.  Our circumstances may be good or bad, our prospects bright or dim, yet the Lord has divine appointments for us wherever we are.  He who has saved us can enable us to speak boldly.

Our Wise and Holy God,
we rejoice that You intend for us to proclaim Your Truth.
We praise You that You are able to give us boldness,
to make Christ known.