I Ain't No Poet (And yes, I know it!)

As Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians he urges them to pray for him. (A lesson in and of itself!) He gave them two "requests" or things to pray for; first, that he might have "a word" or "a message" from God. Second, that he might preach it "with boldness."

Paul understood that for the Christian pastor, the spiritual battle will often be fought right here. There are many things to distract a man from spending enough time with God in His Word to "get a word." And even when he does get a message from God to preach to the people, he will be tempted on every side to capitulate and cave in to the pressures around him. "Don't be so dogmatic." "What makes you right and everyone else wrong?" "Who do you think you are?"

Friend, pray for your pastor!!! Pray God gives him a word and pray God gives him boldness!

Pray for boldness –
Pray for it twice!
For lack of conviction
Is a preacher’s vice.

A man without message
Or courage of heart
Has nothing to say –
No Truth to impart.

So, pray without ceasing
Pray with “all prayer;”
That through feeble preachers
God’s arm He would bare

That glory and power
Might fall from above
As sinners are won
By the great God of Love!