For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
The reason why Paul would have been ashamed of the gospel is because it often landed him in jail, and being in jail was a thing to be ashamed of then as it often is now. (Just try getting job when you have a criminal record.) People didn't want to associate with Paul when he was in prison. They were ashamed of being associated with him.
But Paul knew that he was not ashamed in front of his heavenly Father. That was the first power of the gospel—he was righteous in the sight of God.
And because that was true, he could train his eyes to see the real work being done, the real advancement of the kingdom of God in the lives of people throughout all the cities where he traveled and preached. He could see the gospel's power because he knew what he was looking for. And because of that he could say, "I am not ashamed."
Let us then pray that we, too, would not be ashamed of the gospel. For the fields are white with the harvest and we need more workers. We need more people praying for opportunities to share the gospel with their neighbors, co-workers, friends, and families. For the gospel has real power, even the power of God for salvation.
Who are you praying for today?