Praying Always. As we near the end of the Book of Ephesians, Paul gives us some final advice. He has just encouraged us to take up the armor of God, and yet just taking up the armor is not enough.
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.
Ephesians 6:18, NKJV
As we near the end of the Book of Ephesians, Paul gives us some final advice. He has just encouraged us to take up the armor of God, and yet just taking up the armor is not enough. He encourages us to continue in prayer and supplication--always praying--in the Spirit. Then, if we do not understand the importance of this prayer, he says, "Being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
What is Paul saying? He is admonishing us to pray, pray, and pray. How often? Always. For whom? For all saints (believers). We are servants of God going to war with the devil Himself. Being equipped with the armor of God is not enough--we must also be bathed in prayer. Let us pray for ourselves and for our Christian brothers and sisters. Then, let us pray that as the Word of God goes forth, many of our families, friends, and acquaintances will come to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, accepting Him as their own personal Lord and Savior.
How important is prayer? Let's look at what the Bible tells us about prayer. All verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.
But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of
my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His
mercy from me!
Psalm 66:19 & 20
He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.
Psalm 102:17
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Proverbs 15:8
The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29
“When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple.
Jonah 2:7
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Matthew 21:22
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16
Go then, as people of prayer! May you, by the grace of God, be found always praying, and may God richly answer your prayers to Him. He is God and He does answer prayer!
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