Ephesians 6:19-20 explains how we as soldiers in the Lord’s army, dressed in His armor, are to be His ambassadors in this world.
How many times do you look back at a situation and wish you had spoken up? Paul asked the Ephesian believers to pray for him “that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel…” (v. 19). Don’t be afraid to ask others to pray for you.
Like Paul, we can pray the 3-Open Prayer: open the door, open their heart, open my mouth (2 Cor. 1:11, Phil. 1:15-20, Col. 4:2-4). Our ability to be bold is a direct result of prayer (Acts 4:29-31, 1 Thess. 5:25, 2 Thess. 3:1).
In vs. 20 Paul calls himself an ambassador of the gospel. Humanly, an ambassador is an accredited citizen sent by a government to a foreign country as a representative, often with a specific message.
2 Cor. 5:16-21 gives the qualifications of a Christian ambassador—a new creature in Christ, given the ministry of reconciliation through whom God makes His appeal to individuals.
We are representatives of the King of Kings, carrying a message on His behalf. Let us carry His message with grace, clarity and joy.
People of Prayer
Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us what armor to put on; vs. 18 tells us how to put it on: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…” The sentence structure from verse 17 and 18 does not break—“praying always” is part of taking up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God).
From this verse we discussed prayer in the Christian life:
- We are called to be people of prayer (Luke 18:1)
- Praise God that He does hear our prayers (Psa. 65:2)
- We are to pray “in the Spirit”—led by Him, submitted to His will, praying according to what HE desires (Rom. 8:26, 1 Jn. 5:14)
- As new creatures in Christ, our focus needs to come away from fleshly things and center on the things of God (Matt. 16:23, Col. 3:1-3)
- Stay alert! Weakness sets in not because of the method of defense but lack of alertness (“watching thereunto with all perseverance”)