Reaching out to unbelievers to talk about God, especially in today’s non-spiritual environment, is hard for all of us. The key to improving in this is not to depend on our own power, but as in everything else, to focus first on God.
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 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 4:29-21
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:18b-19
The boldness needed here is not something that we can drum up within ourselves; we need the Spirit to give us boldness in speaking.
The early disciples recognized this, as did Paul, and they realized the importance of prayer as the first step to seeking God’s empowerment. All too often it’s easy to get caught up in our own abilities, or lack of them, rather than depending on Him. This can create a spiral of frustration as we are unable to move beyond ourselves.
Instead, let us focus on prayer along the lines of those in Scripture, that God would give us what we need in order to speak of Him.
Heavenly Father, we ask that You would give boldness to speak Your word to all those, including ourselves, who seek to speak it into today’s dark world.
Exploring Antioch 