You know you're asking for it when:

You stick your nose in where it doesn't belong. You trash talk your opponent. You toot your own horn too much. You talk negatively about others on social media. Your name appears on a bulletin board quote in an opponent's locker room.

But here's a great thing to be asking for … PRAYER! We all need it way more than we think we do, and we probably ask for it far less often than we should. Of all the things we solicit from others, this could be the best.

God's Word clearly beckons us to ask others to pray for us. Let this be our major ask.

In Ephesians 6:19, the apostle Paul asks others to pray for his words. Specifically, he asks for:

WHENEVER WORDS. God wants all our words to count, not just some. He wants us ready in season and out.

GIVEN WORDS. God in us prompts something. He sends messages … both for us and for others. It's awesome when God Himself gives us utterance. When God gives us words, those words should both fly and land powerfully.

FEARLESS WORDS. No fear, no hesitation. Like a good jump shot, fearless words must flow. God gives fearless flow to our words. Ask Him for it. (Feel the simple, shameless flow of Romans 1:16!)

GOSPEL WORDS. Get in touch with the gospel. Talk about it. It's the greatest story and sweetest mystery. Share it as simply and personally as you can. Share His story. Share yours. Share the divine intersection. Each story carries great power.

Ask for great gospel words.

Reflect: How often do you ask others to pray for you? Are you regularly prompting them with what to pray? Whenever you speak, do you speak “given words” or just your own? Are your words fearlessly, confidently delivered? How often does gospel-centered content enter into your conversations?

A prayer to consider: LORD, I'm asking for it – for fearless, loving words; for Your strength to carry me; for the gospel to take root in many hearts; and most of all, for You to win in their hearts and mine. One more thing – help me ask others to pray for me. Amen.