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Eph 6:18-24 (ESV)
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Final Greetings
21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
Prayer.
What comes to your mind when you think of prayer? A time in the morning to start your day? Something that you take a couple of seconds to do just before you eat a meal? Something that you say just before you go to bed? Something that happens at church or at ministry programs and events?
Most Christians don’t often reflect on prayer: when to pray, the content of prayer, the power, and the meaning. So take a second and go back and re-read verses 18-20 and note what Paul is saying about prayer in those verses.
Prayer is a mystery that is deeply practical for all who entrust their lives to Jesus. We don’t know how it works, but we know it works. It’s amazing to see the difference prayer can make in your life if you just take some time to reflect on what you’ve been praying for. Things seem to come together, line up, and change when we pray, and our days seem brighter and better somehow. When we don’t pray, the opposite happens; our day seems to go “south,” and little things seem to distract us and pull at us all day long.
Prayer is powerful and practical, but if we’re not going to take prayer for granted, we need to realize that it’s hard work. It shouldn’t be a simple add-on to what we are doing or a rote part of our church experiences. Yes, prayer like that is better than nothing, however it’s not the full, rich meal that the Lord offers us through prayer.
Prayer is to be actively engaged in the exploration of the vastness of our relationship with Christ. We are to stay alert and pray at all times, in all ways. We love praying about big things, but God is eager to hear from us about the small things, so we are to pray always. Prayer is one of the active ways that we engage in and grow our relationship with the Lord. The Lord loves to hear from you! Paraphrasing from N.T. Wright, if it matters to you, it matters to God.
Here’s the amazing thing—prayer accomplishes what we can’t through our own efforts and resources. God works through prayer.
This is why Paul invites the believers to pray for him as well; that even while in chains he would boldly proclaim the Gospel. The Greek word for boldly is better translated as being deliberate and outspoken, even brazen in sharing the Gospel. I wonder if Paul’s guards ever thought to themselves, “Doesn’t this guy ever stop talking about Jesus?”
So pray and get to it. One thing you may want to do is keep a list of prayer requests. Note the date and the request, and then keep track of answers to prayer. Then, every now and again, look back at how the Lord is at work and moving through the things you’ve been praying for. You will be astounded at what the Lord has done in both the big and small things.
Selfishly, I ask that you pray for me also; for my family, week to week as I preach (with boldness and power), for the church I serve, and for my own walk with the Lord, that I may grow in knowing, loving, and following my Lord Jesus. My friends, I welcome and need your prayers.
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott
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