“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18
One of the things that I find so refreshing when I read Scripture is coming across a verse or a passage that is easy to understand. You know what I mean, right? When I read “Children, obey your parents…” in Ephesians 6:1, I get it. I know what it’s saying. I understand the command there. When I read “Be imitators of God…” in Ephesians 5:1, I know that it’s telling me to act as Jesus did. It’s not a difficult command to understand. It’s incredibly refreshing to come across such clear instruction in God’s Word, isn’t it? Our small group just decided to read through the Bible in a year together, and I have to admit that there are portions of Scripture that are difficult for me to understand. These portions are no less important nor are they any less inspired or true, but there are sections of God’s Word that I have to wrestle through and ask the Lord to give me revelation and understanding as I read.
The beauty of our verse today is that it is clear in its instruction, and it is not difficult to understand.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18
It’s the choice to DO IT that we find difficult. The Bible instructs us again in regards to prayer in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 with a short but simple command: “Pray continually.” What is God’s Word trying to tell us about prayer? What are we to learn about this discipline called prayer? I don’t know about you, but when it comes to obedience, I prefer to use God’s Word as my instruction manual. However, it is far too often that we find ourselves rationalizing our decisions away with excuses and human reasoning or justifying our behavior by the standards of this world. How about today we choose to obey God’s Word and hold His Word up as our highest authority? Are you willing to do that? I pray that each of us finds ourselves choosing obedience today.
God’s Word offers us some clear and important instruction when it comes to prayer. First and foremost, God commands us to pray. Prayer is not an option for the believer. So, how do we approach this thing called prayer? How do we walk in obedience to God’s Word when it comes to prayer?
• Pray regularly. Several scriptures speak directly to this instruction. Not only Ephesians 6:18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17, but we are given Jesus Christ as our perfect example of consistent and regular prayer. The night He was betrayed into the hands of those who would crucify Him, He was found on His knees crying out to God the Father in prayer, praying the same prayer three times: “Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36) There was earnestness and consistency displayed in how Jesus prayed, and He calls us to be like Him.
• Pray together. In addition to prayer being a regular and consistent practice in our own personal lives, the Bible also instructs us to make it a habit to pray with one another. In Acts 1:14, we see obedience in the lives of the disciples and other followers of Jesus in their joining together in prayer. “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” They had the wisdom to see the importance and the necessity of regular times of prayer together. We should do the same. Regular fellowship and prayer with our brothers and sisters in Christ serves to strengthen our own faith in Jesus. We were never meant to live the Christian life alone.
• Pray for others. Ephesians 6:18 not only instructs us to pray consistently, but also to pray for fellow believers (“saints”). As Christians, we are called to the lifestyle of prayer, and part of that is not only being aware of others needs but also lifting up those needs to our Father in prayer. Are you one who is found on your knees in prayer for the body of Christ? It’s so easy for us to say, “I’ll be praying for you”, but do we actually pray? Often times, I’ll say that and then walk away, completely forgetting to pray, failing to fulfill the commitment that I just made. A few years ago, I began to form a habit in my prayer life that has proven to be such a blessing. When someone comes to me sharing a need with me, instead of saying “I’ll pray for you”, I have begun to say, “Can I pray for you right now?” Pray in the moment. Stop and pray right there. Be a blessing to others by not only praying for them, but by praying with them.
1. God calls us to a lifestyle of prayer. How can you discipline your day to cause prayer to become more of a priority? How can you begin to include prayer into your schedule regularly?
2. Who do you pray with? Is it your spouse? Your accountability partner? Your small group or Bible study?
3. What does your prayer list consist of? Are you currently praying for anyone? Spend some time right now and journal a prayer for someone in your life that has shared a need with you. Pray for them and let them know that you are praying for them right now.
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