Ephesians 6:20 NLT – “I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.” In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul, even while imprisoned, prayed for courage to proclaim the gospel. He knew he needed the strength of the Holy Spirit to grant him the boldness to share God’s truths. He recognized that true courage doesn’t come from personality or willpower, but is an empowerment from God. The Greek word for boldness speaks of freedom and openness in speech, courage to speak without reservation or fear, no matter the audience. Even as a seasoned missionary, Paul saw his need for the Spirit’s divine enablement to share God’s message with conviction and clarity. Paul’s courage was rooted in his relationship with the Holy Spirit, and he leaned on prayer to sustain this boldness. We, too, can be witnesses for Christ in our everyday lives. During our personal time with God, we can make it a habit to ask the Holy Spirit to give us courage to share His love. When we start each day inviting the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, He gives us the boldness we need to recognize and seize opportunities to touch lives for Him.
