Bold enough to speak up

“Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.”  (Eph. 6:20 CSB)

Feelings are interruptive

I think the hardest thing for most followers of Jesus to do is to be bold in sharing their faith. Maybe the main reason is just plain fear—fear of being rejected, feeling awkward, being unprepared, or just plain scared about what will happen if you speak up. But, all these feelings are just that—feelings! And feelings shouldn’t guide us or stop us from doing what we’re told to do as followers of Jesus Christ. We’re told to “be instant in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2) and to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone” (1 Pet. 3:15).

Ephesians 6:18-20 gives us some helpful instructions

·      Pray at all times in the Spirit

Verse18: “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 

·      Pray that God will give you bold words to say

Verse19: “Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 

·      Remember you’re God’s ambassador and pray that you will be bold enough to speak

Verse 20: “For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.” (Eph. 6:17-20 CSB)

Therefore

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31 ESV)

“Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:31 ESV)