We all need prayer!
Ephesians 6:18-24
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.
23 Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. 24 May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul was a prayer. He starts of this letter praying for the believers in the Ephesus church 1:15-21, what a fantastic prayer, and he ends the letter asking them to pray for him. Prayer is so important that wherever you look in the Bible, it is there.
I’ve been doing a 14-day prayer devotional on YouBible recently by Tim Keller. He said the following … “Everywhere God is, prayer is. Since God is everywhere and infinitely great, prayer must be all-pervasive in our lives.” This is exactly what Paul is saying in verse 18, pray all the time in the Spirit with all kinds of prayer and requests. Even Paul is aware he needs prayer to be fearless in proclaiming the gospel. Being fearful is not something you associate with Paul but here he is very aware of his need and asking for the Ephesian church to pray for him.
This passage has challenged me, who do I have that I know is regularly praying for me, who am I regularly praying for with all sorts of prayer requests … prayer must be all pervasive in my life.
Lord, considering that we are encouraged and told to pray so many times in the Bible, to be in and keep in relationship with you, to enable you to move in our lives, to fight the spiritual battle, to bless others, see our needs met and your Kingdom to come, I know that I do not do a very good job of it. Lord, forgive my laziness. Holy Spirit help me to be a person who prays your heart into this world. Amen.
Written by Suzie Hodgson