To close out his letter to the Ephesians, Paul set an example of honestly asking for prayer. It’s easy to forget the difficult situation Paul was in when he wrote this letter, but let’s remember that he was in prison, facing a possible trial before Caesar where he would have to defend the “mystery of the gospel” to the attacks of the wicked one. He asked for prayers to be bold; to “fearlessly make known” and to “declare fearlessly.”
The opposite of fear is faith, and Paul was asking the Ephesians to petition God to greater grow his faith. After selflessly pouring himself into a letter full of admonition, encouragement, and truth on behalf of his fellow believers in Ephesus, one would think that Paul, in light of his circumstance, would ask for prayer to get out of jail. Or find favor with his captors. Or have patience in his situation. But no, Paul asked for more faith to proclaim Christ boldly.