Spirit of Power
The fifth prayer of the 268 Declaration is bold, terrifying, and exhilarating to pray. Leaving behind our own desires, we give all to Christ and ask Him to use us in His mission (Philippians 3:13–14). If praying these words scares you, take courage from Paul.
Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy while awaiting execution. In the letter, Paul encouraged Timothy to be confident in God’s provision and not to fear persecution. Suffering is inevitable in following Jesus—He suffered, and so must we—but God gives us power to stand up while we’re wading through it. When an obstacle seems impossible to overcome, take heart that Jesus has overcome the world and has good plans for His people (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:28). The Spirit in us destroys our fear and replaces it with perfect love and boldness.
Be encouraged: God will equip you with everything you need to accomplish what He has for you. Giving everything for the sake of the gospel is a radical, dangerous lifestyle. But God does not call us to exist in quiet mediocrity; He invites and equips us to live with a higher purpose, sharing the news of life with everyone who will believe.
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