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, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Ephesians 6:19 – 20

As Paul concludes his contemplations on spiritual armor he asks for prayer for himself, for he is in jeopardy in Rome, awaiting trial.

He wrote, I am an ambassador in chains.  Christ’s ambassador, a person representing Christ and his Kingdom, is in chains!  That is to be taken literally.  Paul is a prisoner in Rome!  His crime?  Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Instead of going quiet, he asks the Ephesians believers to pray for him, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.  Preaching the Gospel to all mankind

As far as his spirit is concerned, that could not be imprisoned.  He is free as any child of God. He was not the prisoner of Rome but the prisoner of Jesus Christ!   His loyalty is to his Lord and to no one else.

This puts everything into perspective.  I need to stop now and again to ask the question, where does my ultimate loyalty lie and am I living in that reality.  My culture has its own priorities and I must be careful lest I am tempted to follow theirs.  Lord Jesus, give me, like Paul, the compulsion to preach the Word of God fearlessly, for I am mercifully bound to do that!