Ephesians 6:18 – “…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
I’ve been systematically and patiently leading our congregation through a sermon series called “#iPray.” In this series, I’ve explored the necessity of prayer as the basis for a solidly grounded Christian lifestyle. A series on prayer could not be more important given the disparaging climate of our nation and our world. The horrific and hate-filled murders of a pastor and eight of his parishioners in Charleston, S.C., the shooting deaths of unarmed Black males and females by police, the continued genocide experienced in the Black community as a result of intra-race homicides, and the myriad of global issues are definitely a call for us to pray unceasing prayers.
In The Necessity Of Prayer, E. M. Bounds notes: “The description of the Christian soldier given by Paul in Ephesians 6 is compact and comprehensive. He is always seen as being in the conflict, which has fluctuating seasons. This would include times of prosperity and adversity, lightness and darkness, victory and defeat.”
Thus the Christian soldier is to pray in all seasons. Prayer must be added to the armor described in Ephesians 6. Paul strongly suggests it is not enough to simply put on the armor. One must be prayed up.
When I engaged in high school and college football, we were always encouraged to train during the off-season. Fall is when the battle would begin. But we couldn’t wait until the fall to prepare. If we did, as I learned the hard way, we would be ill prepared and there would be a severe price to pay. And so it is with the Christian who must fight daily for victory. Prayer is central to our preparation for battle.
How can the brave warrior for Christ be made braver? How can the strong soldier be made stronger? How can the victorious fighter be made even more victorious?
First, we must pray at all times. Ephesians 6:18 states “…praying always with all prayer…” Closer examination of this scripture helps us understand we should pray until time overlaps time. In essence, time should not be a factor when praying. Some matters call for us to pray until we lose track of time because time (i.e., how long we pray) really doesn’t matter. What matters is that we are praying unceasing prayers.
Secondly, we must pray and watch. Ephesians 6:18 continues: “…being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” The Greek word for watchful is “agrepneo.” It means to “lie awake and be watchful.” When we pray unceasing prayers, we pray paying close attention to what’s going on around us. We pray anticipating approaching danger or opportunity. We pray from a position of alertness. We are open-eyed, unsleeping, vigilant and wide-awake. We are not careless, thoughtless, inadvertent or absentminded. As good soldiers, we are always on watch.
Finally, we must pray for others. We are admonished further in Ephesians 6:18 to offer “…supplication for all the saints.” Paul’s instructions are don’t just pray for yourself, be an intercessor.
In closing, prayer must be consistent and continuous. Prayer must be constant and concentrated. Prayer must be dedicated and deliberate. Prayer must be intense and intentional. We must not get into the common habit of praying crisis prayers. We must pray always. We must pray unceasing prayers.
Preston Adams III is senior pastor of Amazing Grace Christian Church in Indianapolis. He can be reached at docpta3@comemeetgrace.org or readers can follow him on Twitter: @DrPrestonTAdams.
