Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is the sixth and final installment in this series on prayer by Steve Sann.
Read Part 1 here
Read Part 2 here
Read Part 3 here
Read Part 4 here
Read Part 5 here
Ephesians 6:18:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
In this verse, God isn’t trying to decree a minimum prayer requirement, or else He would say: “…pray 3.5 hours per day. Increase as needed.” Rather, He is emphasizing to us that we should pray to the greatest degree possible—at every available opportunity.
So, this is a commandment that each of us can live up to. God’s desire for us, then, is really more of an adjustment of attitude and priority than it is an edict. You are the one who determines your potential, the “greatest degree possible” for your lifestyle. And, probably that “greatest degree possible” will increase as you regularly exercise your ability. Paul disciplined himself until he spoke in tongues more that all the Corinthian church.
As we see, these figures breathe life into our understanding of God’s heart toward prayer. Particularly in this verse this is evident, as Ephesians 6:18 contains not just one, but four absolutes: one “always” and three “all’s”. Each emphasizes a different direction to us regarding prayer. Each gives force to a specific aspect of prayer, each worthy of our focus. For ease, all four are broken-out below. Each figure of speech is used to answer these ques*ons regarding our prayer responsibility: when, what, how and for whom prayer should be made.
When? “Praying always
What? …with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
How? …being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication For whom? …for all the saints.”
Or, to restate this in everyday understanding:
We are to be…
• ‘Always praying’ at every available opportunity;
• Offering ‘all prayer’ that’s needed for each specific situation;
• With ‘all endurance’ while vigilantly being on watch and guarding by your prayer;
• For ‘all the saints’.
Woven into this one verse are all the exhortations needed for us to move prayer up to the top of our daily “To Do” list. The priority of prayer has clearly and squarely been placed upon our shoulders.
In passing, please note that the believers of the first century commonly referred to speaking in tongues as praying in the spirit. As a matter of fact, every reference in the New Testament to praying, speaking, singing, praising, worshipping or crying in, with or by the spirit, when directed from man to God, we find is related to speaking in tongues! This is why, in Ephesians 6:18, we are encouraged to pray in tongues “always…in the spirit.”