Paul asked for prayer multiple times in multiple letters. Here are two passages that act as examples to instruct us how to pray for ourselves and others to give the gospel.
Ephesians 6:18–20
Pray for the words to say when giving the gospel.
Paul encouraged the Ephesians to persevere by “making supplication for all the saints” (Eph 6:18) and also himself as he gave the gospel (Eph 6:19). He asked them to pray “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” (Eph 6:19). We should pray that we and others would be given the words necessary to give the gospel when an opportunity presents itself to do so.
Pray to have the appropriate boldness when giving the gospel.
Paul requested pray that he would open his mouth “boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” (Eph 6:19). He repeats this request and asks the Ephesians to pray “that I may declare it [i.e., the gospel] boldly, as I ought to speak.” We should pray for ourselves and others to speak the gospel as we ought to speak―with the boldness necessary for actually speaking it to others.
Colossians 4:2–6
Pray for the opportunity to give the gospel.
Paul requested that the Colossians would “pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word” (Col 4:3). This word was “the mystery of Christ,” that is, the gospel that speaks of salvation through Jesus Christ (Col 4:3). We should pray that God would give us and others the opportunity to share His gospel.
Pray that the gospel would be clearly given.
Paul also requested that the Colossians would pray “that I may make it [i.e., the gospel] clear, which is how I ought to speak” (Col 4:4). However we speak the gospel, we must speak it clearly, and we should pray that we and others would do so.
Pray that the gospel would be presented with grace.
Paul goes on to instruct the Colossians to walk wisely in a world of unbelievers (Col 4:5). Lifestyle differences would provoke discussion, and when speaking with unbelievers, Paul states, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:6). We should pray that our speech would be marked by the grace that should characterize our entire lives.
About David Huffstutler
David pastors First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL, serves as a chaplain for his local police department, and teaches as adjunct faculty at Bob Jones University. David holds a Ph. D. in Applied Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His concentration in Christian Leadership focuses his contributions to pastoral and practical theology.
