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BEING FEARLESS (EPHESIANS 6:18-24) ADVENT REFLECTION

REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is being fearless. A fearless person is bold, focused and determined to accomplish his or her mission regardless of intimidation, persecution, discouragement, threats, and perilous situations. We shall reflect on the fact that being fearless in the discharge of our calling requires prayer. In other words, it takes prayer to become a fearless servant of the Lord.

Beloved in the Lord, prayer makes us fearless when we are called upon to serve the Lord. It is for this reason, Paul made a special appeal to the believers in Ephesus to, pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:18-20) It is important to note that Paul was in prison but still writing letters to teach and encourage believers at various places. It takes grace and prayer to fearlessly respond to our God’s call to preach the Gospel and also remain faithful to Him. Jesus himself was a victim of betrayal and persecution yet He was fearless. He remained fearless because He always communicated with His heavenly Father through prayer. Luke tells us that “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” ⁴¹ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. (Luke 22:39-43) Indeed, anytime we pray we are made strong and fearless. God sends His angels to strengthen us in our affliction and challenges when we call on Him through prayer.

It is rather sad to mention that some of us become intimidated and overwhelmed by our challenges to the extent that our faith dwindles and we stop praying. Instead of coming to God in prayer, we go to human beings who are limited in their ability to help us overcome our troubles. Regardless of our challenges or troubles, I am here to assure you that you are made fearless and victorious through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. God is our anchor hence we must fearlessly pray to Him for the empowerment to serve Him faithfully and also overcome the obstacles in our lives. The great men and women in the Bible were prayerful and fearless. For instance, Hannah was barren yet she did not stop praying, she defied all the odds, mockery and burdens of a barren woman in her society. Through faith, she kept on praying until the impossible happened. Hannah said to Eli the priest, “I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ²⁷ I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life, he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshipped the LORD there. (1 Samuel 1:26-28). We are feeble and weak in our natural state but with prayer, we receive empowerment to do extraordinary things through the power of the Holy Spirit. Through prayer, we fearlessly trust in the promises and plans of the Lord for our lives, we are greatly assured by Jeremiah when wrote, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (Jeremiah 29:11-12) May we remain fearless in the Lord even as we “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Joseph Scriven (1819-1886) also reminds us to be fearlessly prayerful when he wrote the poem which became the hymn” What a friend we have in Jesus”

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

May our prayer lives be revived even as we fearlessly and diligently await the second coming of our Lord Jesus through the preaching of the Gospel and the discharge of our various callings and ministries.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme ” Being fearless” We have discovered that being fearless in the discharge of our calling requires prayer. In other words, it takes prayer to become a fearless servant of the Lord. Shalom.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, strengthen us to remain prayerfully fearless when we are faced with overwhelming challenges. May we remain fearless through prayer even as we serve the Lord faithfully, knowing that in all these things we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loves us. Amen.