Paul’s request for prayer

Eph 6:19-20 (and [praying] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.)

Paul was a prayer warrior, who prayed constantly for the saints. We can see this in many places such as 1 Cor 1:4-5 (I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge) and Phil 1:3-4 (I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.)

In fact, he is introduced to Annanias and to us as a man in prayer, in Acts 9:10-11 (Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias . . . And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying. . .”)

After exhorting them about prayer in Eph 6:18 (praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints), this great apostle entreats the Ephesians to pray for him, when he asks them to make “supplication for all the saints, and also for me.” Who were the Ephesians to pray for this great apostle who seemed to be able to suffer and survive so many hardships, who was one who could do so much by way of ministry and also manage to spend time praying for everyone. When someone significant asks us for prayer, you know it is something very significant. What could Paul have been facing that made him covet the prayers of the church?

A GREAT NEED
Although he was used so mightily, Paul was not very impressive in person. He himself writes of what people said about him in 2 Cor 10:10 (For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.”). He also hinted at this in 1 Cor 2:1-3 (And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling). Not only was he not physically strong, Paul’s burdens affected him deeply and he was at times depressed, as we see in 2 Cor 1:8-9 (For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.). It is no wonder that he asks for prayer. Those who seem to be spiritually strong are often in need of our prayers. An example is Spurgeon, who was one of the greatest preachers in the world, and whose sermons were read globally. He suffered from depression. He even had to take a break for three months because he was ailing emotionally and physically, and he too asked the believers to pray for him. The very best of men are men at best. Men cannot stand against the weight and pressure of God’s calling in their own strength. Those who have the most responsibility are the devil’s focus, as was Job and Joshua the high priest.

A GREAT REQUEST
Paul was mature enough to know his great need. We see how he articulated his request for prayer in Eph 6:19 (and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel . . .that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak). He was not asking for more vocabulary or eloquence. He wants the words uttered by his mouth to be touched by unction of the Holy Spirit, as he described in 1 Thess 1:5 (because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction).

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY
Paul used every opportunity he had to preach Christ, and he knew that his chains provided opportunities, as we see in Eph 6:20 (for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak). He also looked forward to the day he would stand before the most powerful man on earth and preach the gospel. This is why he did not ask for prayer to be released from prison, but he asked for the Spirit’s unction in his words. We have but a few years to share Jesus, and one day we will look back at these years and realise how precious this opportunity is. We will not always have this opportunity to share the gospel with unbelievers and to pray for preachers, evangelists, persecuted churches, and missionaries, that the word go forth in power. Let us pray that the unction of the Holy Spirit be given to all the saints in this day of opportunity, including to ourselves that we may be able to share Jesus with those around us, colleagues at work, and very importantly our children and loved ones.
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