Verse of th8/9e Day

Through the Bible - Psalms 77-78, Acts 27:27-44

 

Over the weekend I read a devotional focused on the full armor of God in Ephesians 6.  Reading this passage always should remind us that we need to be prepared for spiritual battle as we face every new day with its challenges.  For me, prayer is too often that weakest link.  Its not that I don't pray.  Yes I could spend more hours let alone minutes in prayer, but it is more of what I pray about that concerns me most.

 

For today's verse we'll go to this passage in Ephesians 6.

 

Ephesians 6:18-19 (AMP) Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

    ¹⁹And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),

 If you are like me, most of what you pray about relates to your own life and that of your family.  We pray for safety, health, blessing and rightfully so.  But take a look at the things Paul prays for he while in prison, and how he wants us to pray  always.  We should be alert, aware of the things going on around us, praying with perseverance, interceding for others, and praying for boldness to share the gospel.

 

John MacArthur notes that "Paul does not ask for his personal well-being or physical comfort in the imprisonment from which he wrote, but for boldness and faithfulness in proclaiming the gospel to the unsaved no matter what the cost."

 

Paul prays for more boldness while being imprisoned largely due to his boldness.

 

The boldness to pray for boldness come from someone who has put on the full armor of God.  Ready to face the day, ready to do His will in whatever comes our way.

 

Pray for others today, pray for boldness, and pray for me too.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Ephesians 6:10-19

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Whole Armor of God

 ¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

 ¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

 ¹⁹ And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.