PRAY FOR GOD’S MESSENGERS

‭Ephesians 6:19 NLT‬
[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.”

Perhaps we should conclude our thoughts about prayer with a focus on those whom God has called to sow the seeds of His Word all over the world, in cities, towns, villages, and remote areas everywhere, to the ends of the earth.

Paul was acutely aware of his own weaknesses as well as the enormity of the task God had entrusted to him. He was commissioned to take the message of Jesus to the Gentiles but he was up against relentless opposition from Jews and Gentiles as well as living and travelling in the dangerous world of his day.

He constantly entreated his fellow believers to pray for him. He was as human as they were, subject to the conflicting emotions stirred up by his circumstances.

He speaks of fear, anger, tears, anguish as he struggled with ex-pagans who were raw and new in their faith and walk with the Lord, and with Jewish believers who were still powerfully influenced by the demands of their Jewish religion.

His life was constantly in danger and once almost extinguished by over-zealous pagans who wanted to worship him and his companions as gods.

‭Acts of the Apostles 14:11 NLT‬
[11]”When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!”

Paul was aware that he faced opposition from two sources, from without and from within. His old nature stirred up attitudes and reactions to his opposition that desired revenge, but the new nature required submission to God’s will no matter what it cost him.

‭2 Corinthians 11:24-29 NLT‬
[24] “Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. [26] I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. [27] I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. [28] Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. [29] Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?”

These hardships were like a thorn in Paul’s flesh, constantly goading him to react.

‭2 Corinthians 12:8 NLT‬
[8]”Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away…”

Is it any wonder that he needed the prayer support of Christian family to help him through his daily struggles! So, he constantly urged them to pray for him.

‭Philippians 1:19-20 NLT‬
[19] “For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. [20] For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.”

In the midst of all these obstacles, Paul had one all-consuming desire, to be faithful to his calling and to fulfill his commission with courage and boldness. He needed to convey his message with clarity so that those who heard him would understand it and believe.

How much more do God’s fellow workers need the same boldness, courage, and clarity to declare the same message today! The threats to those who proclaim the gospel are ever-icreasing from a hostile world of people and governments that hate, oppose and suppress the truth by their wickedness.
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God promised that His Word will always accomplish its purpose but He does not guarantee a trouble-free journey for all of us. In fact, Jesus made it clear that the opposite will happen. Trouble will always be just around the corner.

‭John 16:33 NLT‬
[33] “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

What of those who in some way, walk in Paul’s shoes? Their struggles are no less real than his were.

So, let us be faithful in our prayers for God’s messengers; for safety, deliverance, and faithfulness to God’s Word and to their calling; for strength to stand firm in trials and tests; for courage, boldness, and clarity to declare the whole gospel; and for integrity and godliness that confirm their calling.