Prayer warriors
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak (Ephesians 6:18-20).
Paul’s teaching on the armour of God begins by looking to the Lord who is our strength and power. It closes with the encouragement to look to Him in prayer.
The systematic and spontaneous prayer: “praying always”. This thought embraces the regular times when we pray individually, in our families and in our prayer meetings, and also includes being in the spirit of prayer. Nehemiah is an excellent example of this. When he heard the walls of Jerusalem were destroyed, he systematically fasted and prayed for many days. Then when he was sad in the presence of king Artaxerxes, he spontaneously prayed in his heart to God, and spoke to the king. We are always close to the throne of God.
The scope of our prayer: “with all prayer”. We should be expansive, simple, focused and straightforward in all our prayers. But there are also times when we don’t know what we should pray for as we ought. Then the Lord still responds to the focus and clarity of humble and dependent hearts.
The supplicating character of prayer: “and supplication”. Supplication expresses need in all its forms, recognising that God supplies all our need according to His riches in glory in Christ, and it leads us to worship (Philippians 4:19-20).
The sanctification of prayer: “in the Spirit”. It is the Holy Spirit who guides our prayers and brings them into harmony with the will and purposes of God.
The sightline of prayer: “being watchful to this end”. Prayer should be characterised by alertness. We should be watchful and anticipate the spiritual and material needs of ourselves and others (Acts 20:28).
The steadfastness of prayer: “with all perseverance”. Prayer is a service. It is thoughtfulness and total commitment.
The saints we pray for: “and supplication for all the saints”. No one is excluded. There are those we know and can pray for in detail, but we can also pray for those we know little about who the Lord lays on our hearts.
The servants we pray for: “and for me…” The preaching of the Gospel and those communicating it should always be in our prayers.
Dressed in the armour of God, strong in the Lord and the power of His might, and with hearts lifted in prayer to the throne of God, may we be helped by the Lord to stand together for Him in the times and circumstances He has called us to pass through.
