“[Pray]…that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19–20 ESV).
The apostle Paul wrote from a Roman prison. He asked the Ephesian believers to pray for him—not for release from prison, but for boldness to proclaim Christ. He called himself an “ambassador in chains,” an irony since ambassadors normally carry dignity and freedom of movement. Yet Paul saw his true identity in Christ, representing the King of heaven even while bound. His priority was not personal comfort but faithful witness. Remarkably, he believed that his chains could actually serve to advance the gospel (Phil. 1:12–13). His request reveals that the effectiveness of our witness depends on God giving us the words and the Spirit granting us courage.
We too are called to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). Our task is not to represent ourselves, but to carry the message of reconciliation with God through Jesus. Like Paul, we may find ourselves in difficult circumstances—sickness, loss, rejection, financial stress, or even persecution. Yet these very trials can make our witness even more powerful, showing that the gospel is not bound. Instead of praying only for escape, we can pray for boldness. We can ask the Father to give us words that point to Christ in every situation, demonstrating His peace and hope when the world expects despair. Our neighbors, coworkers, and families often listen more intently when they see us holding fast to Christ under pressure. In this way, our suffering actually becomes a stage for proclaiming the gospel and displaying God’s glory.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for calling us to be Your ambassadors. Forgive us for times when we shrink back or seek only relief from difficulty, forgetting Your calling. Grant us Spirit-filled boldness to open our mouths and proclaim Christ with clarity and courage. Use even our trials to magnify the gospel, so that others may see the hope we have in Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.