“The apostle Paul,” Stan began, “reminded and convicted me of something this morning when I was in his letter to the church in Ephesus.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“First,” Stan replied, “is the reminder of the importance for me to pray for my pastor. Second, is the conviction that I do not do it often enough.”
“What kind of prayers do you think the pastor needs?”
“Prayers for strength, encouragement, wisdom, and, especially, for boldness to proclaim the gospel.”
“Boldness in proclaiming the gospel?” I asked. “Isn’t that what pastors are supposed to do? Do they really need prayer support for that?”
“The apostle Paul said he did,” Stan replied.
Continuing, he added, “If Paul, as bold as he was in working for and encouraging the church, felt that he needed prayer support in proclaiming the gospel, that convinces me that every pastor needs the same prayer support.”
“Then,” I said, “if pastors need prayer support to be bold in proclaiming the gospel, it seems that each one of us who is called to present the gospel certainly needs the same sort of prayer support.”
“Probably even more,” Stan replied.
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And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for all of your reminders of who and what you want me to bring before you in prayer. As to the boldness of my pastor to proclaim the gospel, I confess that I do not often enough remember to pray for him. Please forgive me. And please open me to see and to hear all about which you want me to pray. Especially for all to be bold in proclaiming the truth of the gospel so that others may hear and have the opportunity to respond. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 