Prayer is one of God's greatest gifts to us. Through prayer, we have the opportunity to approach the God of the universe about anything that is on our minds. Prayer is not only a way to communicate with our Heavenly Father; it is also a powerful tool to help us fight the spiritual battles taking place around us every day.
After Paul describes the pieces of the armor of God in Ephesians 6, called his readers to pray. He wrote, "Pray in the Spirit at all times, and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere" (verse 18). Paul did not call readers to pray sometimes. He did not even call believers to pray often. He called believers to pray "at all times" and "on every occasion." This teaching from Paul was a call to live a lifestyle characterized by prayer. Even more, Paul called readers to “be persistent” in their prayers for believers. Prayer, my friends, changes things. First and foremost, prayer changes our hearts. When we pray, God hears us. He responds. He may not always respond how we hope He will respond, but He will respond and act according to our good and His glory. When we pray, we are stepping into battle against the enemy by calling on God, who is more powerful than anything.
Imagine what would happen if every believer would take prayer seriously. Imagine if each one of us understood that when we pray, we are stepping into battle against the enemy and calling on the only, most powerful God. May each one of us be people known for how we pray and discover the impact our praying lives may have.
Spend some time praying today. Specifically, ask God to give you strength and boldness to fight against the enemy and His schemes. Thank Him for the love He has shown for you, and tell Him about how much you love Him, too.
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.
