Ephesians 6:18-20

The Prayer Supply Line

To be completely prepared, the Christian soldier must pray in addition to putting on his armor. Prayer should be more than occasional (Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). We need to endure in it during good times and bad. It should be used in behalf of all we know in the Lord because they fight the same battles and face the same dreaded foe (6:18).

Paul felt the same need for the prayers of the saints that any other Christian feels. Particularly, he felt the need for courage in preaching that he might fully proclaim God's message. It is only through complete preaching of the truth that one can be free from the blood of his hearers (6:19; Acts 20:26-27; Ezekiel 3:17-19). Ambassadors carry the messages of the leader of their nation. Paul was the Lord Jesus Christ's messenger to the Gentile world (Acts 9:15-16; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20). At the time of this writing, Paul was in bonds, apparently on his way to Rome. God's intent was to use those bonds to the furtherance of his gospel, but it would only work to that end if Paul fully proclaimed the truth with courage (6:20).