Prayer Requests—Cut & Paste or Forward?

Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words will be given me so I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel….

Ephesians 6:24

I remember receiving chain letters as a young girl. The letter instructed me to mail additional copies to ten friends and add my own name to the bottom of the list—or something like that. The goal was to eventually receive letters from people all over the country. I always complied but, to my knowledge, never received any letters in return. Today news, prayer requests and other helpful information arrive via email, texts or other forms of social media. I often forward, cut-and-paste or even screen capture specific information to pass onward. 

In comparison, Paul had two options: speaking or writing his message. A spoken message served as part of the oral tradition of teaching. Written messages instructed a person or a body of believers. Hand delivery provided a very personal touch. That’s where Paul’s co-laborers helped out. Paul sent Tychicus with his letter to the Ephesian believers. He encouraged them as well as updated them on how Paul was doing. Toward the end of his letter, Paul added a prayer request that challenged my image of Paul as the resilient, brave apostle he truly was. Paul humbly asked for the Ephesian believers to pray for two things: the words to say when he spoke and for fearlessness to speak. Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words will be given me so I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…. These words provide a peek into Paul’s heart and his personal concerns. We see his humanity and the temptation to remain silent in the face of increasing persecution.

I, too, desire to share the gospel openly and at every opportunity using the right words for each situation. If Paul needed these things, certainly I do too. Am I humble enough to ask and to send out prayer requests for what I truly need to serve well? 

Lord, prompt me to use everything at my disposal to build Your kingdom just as Paul did and to be humble enough to ask for specific prayer support from others. Amen.

Linda Les