PRAYING

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

The seventh element in the Believer’s Spiritual Armor is PRAYING…not just prayer, but praying; not just knowing the principles of prayer, but being active in the practice of praying! Although some Bible scholars do not classify this as part of the armor, they consider it an additional and significant part of the fight against spiritual powers. In the natural, the success of military campaigns depends a great deal on food and medical supply lines. Similarly, spiritual warfare requires not only a strong, brave, and well-equipped army, but nourishment and a supply line to sustain the warriors’ energy. Praying guarantees our spiritual supply line – our connection with Headquarter! Through praying we receive fresh supplies, renewed energy, inner nourishment, and everything necessary for a soldier of Christ Jesus to stay healthy and strong in spirit.

Ephesians 6:18 offers some guidelines on how to engage in effective and exciting praying, namely: we are to pray at all times; in all ways; in the spirit; with all perseverance; with watching; and for all the saints.

Praying at all times: “Praying ALWAYS…” – “pray without ceasing” (1The.5:17). Pray on all occasions. Prayer for the believer must be a daily, constant, and consistent way of living. In any given moment we are only a thought and breath from communicating with God. In an age when we pride ourselves on having high-speed internet connections, we also have a high-speed instant access connection with the Heavenly Father. It is vital to keep the lines of communication open to God!

Praying all types of prayers: “…with ALL prayer and supplication…with ALL perseverance and supplication…” Your Praying Life should be comprehensive and complete. The mnemonic A.C.T.S. could stand for: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. There are prayers of praise and gratitude to the Heavenly Father in which we simply say “Thank You Lord” as well as prayers of repentance, communion, consecration, petitions, and warfare. An important part of our praying is time spent interceding for others. Praying must remain a dynamic part of your lifestyle as a growing believer.

Praying in the Spirit: “…in the Spirit…” – this on one hand means praying in tongues as the Spirit gives you utterance (1Cor.14:14-15). On the other hand, it is praying with the illumination, understanding, longings, and wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives. Praying in the Spirit means relying on His enlightening and energizing ministry (Jh.16:13; Rom.8:26; Jude 1:20).

Praying with all perseverance: “men always ought to pray and lot lose heart” (Lk.18:1). Effective praying comes with importunity, patience, and persistence, like the cases of the importunate friend (Lk.11:5-8) and the persistent widow (Lk.18:1-8). Learn to Pray-Until-Something-Happens – P.U.S.H. Jacob wrestled and prevailed in destiny (Gen.32:24-28).

Praying and Watching: “…being watchful…”  Praying works best with watching. To watch is to be alert and vigilant. The Lord Jesus admonished: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation…” (Mt.26:41a); “take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mk.13:33). paul wrote: “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Col.4:2). Peter also: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” (Heb.13:17).

Praying all together: “…for all the saints” – Prayer should be a constant for the believer; as natural a habit as breathing. But many Christians are far too guilty of praying exclusively for their selves. Realizing that you are a vital part of the body of Christ gives you a fresh sense of purpose and a renewed sense of hope. Learn to intercede regularly for others.

Let’s cap this meditation with an illustration by Pastor Bill Hydes to describe people who are concerned because God doesn't seem to be answering their prayers: If the request is wrong, God says NO. If the timing is wrong, God says SLOW. If you are wrong, God says GROW. But if the request is right, the timing is right, and you are right, God says GO!