In Ephesians 6, Paul makes the following prayer request for himself: “And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19).

Paul asked people to pray for him that he might have the right words to say at the right time and that he might say them with boldness. I hope my congregation prays for me every week that I will say the right things in the right way and that I will have the courage and boldness to say what should be said. If God’s people pray that the right words will be said in the right way within the right framework of time, we will see God work.

We sometimes think Paul was a different sort of character. We assume that he came in and seemed to always have the right word to say at the right time, without fear. But I wonder how many people at the Judgment Seat of Christ will be given rewards only to ask the Lord, “What is this for?” Then the Lord will reply: “This is because Paul was effective in his ministry at Ephesus, Colossae and Rome.” “Well,” they will add, “I wasn’t there with him.” Then the Lord will say, “But you joined with him in prayer, and that gave effectiveness to his ministry.” We will probably be amazed when we stand in the presence of the Lord and see how many rewards will be given for ministry to those who have diligently prayed.

Paul gave further instructions about prayer in Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” As we saturate our prayers with appreciation expressed to God for what He has done, that will help us keep alert. “Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” (Col. 4:3, 4).

What a privilege we have been given! May we devote ourselves to prayer that God will provide opportunity for the sharing of the mystery of Christ.