”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 Lord's people.
Ephesians 6:18New International Version (NIV)
Ephesians 6:18 Devotional
Praying in the Spirit
In Ephesians 6:18, Paul commanded the Ephesians to pray in the Spirit. Therefore, this post titled “Praying in the Spirit” is motivated by Paul’s command to the Ephesians. And in this verse, Paul commanded the Ephesians to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
Consequently, prayer must be done in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God enables you and me to pray more effectively (Romans 8:26 and Jude 20).
But in order to pray in the Spirit, you have to pray with illumination and understanding. You also have to pray with expectancy and wisdom, with alertness, and incorporate all believers.
Pray without ceasing
Additionally, Paul commands you and me to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Meaning that prayer for you and me must become a daily, constant, and consistent way of living. However, most often than not, this is not the case.
Therefore, from Paul’s command to the Ephesians, we observe him specifying that you and I ought to pray on all occasions (Psalms 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) and do so in the Spirit.
Pray diverse prayers
Paul also advises that our prayers should be diverse. Therefore, we can offer up prayers of petition, praise, thanksgiving, intercession, or confession.
Thereafter, Paul also went on to highlight the two things we need to keep in mind. First, he states that we need to be alert. Because being watchful enables you and me to be in line (aligned) with the direction or leading of God’s Spirit. This will ensure your connection with the Supplier and supply(ies), thus, effectiveness in service and spiritual warfare will be a reality.
Second, Paul states that we need to pray for all people. Our prayers should not neglect to focus on all (other) Christians.
Prayer
Lord, I want to be consistent and effective in my prayer life. Help me realize this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessing
Let’s get to praying in the Spirit on all occasions. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Ezekiel 25-28 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
