Prayer

Paul did make it to Rome, just as God had revealed to him in the ship during the storm. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians—people in the church in a city called Ephesus—Paul asked for their prayers while he was in Rome. 

Read Ephesians 6:19–20: 

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. 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.

Does this seem like an unusual prayer to you?

This prayer is unusual because it was written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome for 2 years. He was chained to a guard and lived in a rented house. If you were chained up and couldn’t leave the house, what would you ask people to pray for? To be freed!

Yet here is what Paul did. Read Acts 28:30–31: 

For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

Paul did not concentrate on his own hardship. He did not complain about being in chains, even though he had been doing good things and was arrested on false charges. Paul only wanted to complete his mission, which was to spread the Gospel boldly to the Jewish and Gentile people—whether he was a free man or a prisoner. No matter what Paul’s circumstances, he continued his mission to bring the Good News of Jesus to those around him.

Let’s take a few moments to pray for boldness to share the Gospel, no matter where we are and no matter what seems to be going wrong around us. You might find yourself in a unique situation to share the message of Jesus with someone you normally wouldn’t talk to or be around. Instead of simply praying to be removed from a situation that is not of our choosing, let’s ask God if He has sent us there on a mission!

Give children a chance to pray and focus on God’s mission for them.

Close in prayer: Dear God, thank You that You have a wonderful plan for each of our lives. We want to share the Good News of Jesus with others who don’t know You. Help us to understand Your missions for our lives, and open our eyes to the special opportunities You give us to share the Gospel with those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.