praying always

Ephesians 6:18

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

Of course, the Lord’s Prayer is the model for our prayers, and we can and should pray it daily. It is not, however, the only prayer we need. We find great prayers in the Psalms, and many more throughout the Holy Scriptures.

Today’s verse from Ephesians presents the concluding and most vital element of the spiritual armor of God. It emphasizes that prayer is not merely a weapon, but the spiritual energy required to wield the armor effectively. The verse commands believers to engage in constant, Spirit-directed prayer (“praying always… in the Spirit”), marked by variety (“all prayer and supplication”) and persistent alertness (“watching… with all perseverance”).

Key components of this instruction include:

Praying in the Spirit. This is prayer guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, aligning the believer’s requests with God’s will rather than relying on human understanding or limited petitions.

Continual practice. “Praying always” means prayer should be an ongoing, everyday habit, not a ritual reserved for crises. It keeps a constant connection with God amid spiritual warfare.

Intercessory focus. Believers are urged to pray for “all saints,” fostering unity and mutual support in the Christian community. The struggle is collective; the body of Christ is interconnected.

Spiritual warfare context. Prayer is the lifeline that connects the believer to divine strength, enabling us to stand firm against evil spiritual forces and stay ready for any challenge.

In our world today, we need prayer more than ever. We need to orient our lives toward God. We need to draw closer to God.