EPHESIANS EXTRA #28

LET ME NOT BE THE SAME

When I (Susie) read Paul’s prayer request, I was reminded of that of another dear saint. Her name is Vera, and she served as one of our translators when I went on a two-week mission trip to Russia. Vera’s father had been a pastor in Ukraine during communism’s reign in the Soviet Union. He was arrested for having Bibles hidden in his basement and spent several years in prison under extremely harsh conditions. It took a horrible toll on his health. He was never the same.

Vera shared with me that she felt called to share Jesus in her homeland through singing and speaking. She also expressed a belief that the freedom to share the Lord we experienced on our trip to Russia would not last long. She asked me to pray for her continued boldness when persecution returns. She requested that I write a song for her based on Acts 18:9-10 because the Lord had used that passage to give her peace that he would protect her and provide help for her.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”

Acts 18:9-10 (BSB)

So many times, we pray for jobs, for healing, for peace; and we need to continue praying for these. However, we need to pray for boldness in spreading the gospel. The song at the top of the page was written shortly after my return from Russia. I’m reminded to pray it again tonight.

Father, thank you for the reminder to pray for Vera tonight and to pray that I, too, would be a bold witness to the good news of Jesus. I’ve lost touch with Vera, Lord, but you know exactly where she is. I lift her up tonight and pray that she would continue in the boldness and confidence you have provided for her.