Ephesians 6:18-24

¨     Standing firm demands a persistent prayer, 6:18-20.

          Some consider all-prayer (as John Bunyon called it in Pilgrim’s Progress) to be an additional weapon.  The prayer emphasis is clearly tied to the armor passage but might better be understood as the constant communication of the soldier with his Commander-in-Chief.  In this way the soldier is drawing upon the powerful power essential to victory in battle (Eph. 6:10).

          It is all-prayer because it is …

·        Prayer on all occasions.  Paul says the soldier is praying always.  As Phil 4:6-7 says, worry about nothing but pray about everything.  Never are we to think a problem is small enough to handle without our Father in heaven. 

·        Prayer of all kinds.  2 terms are used here: the general word for prayer and the word that indicates more specific requests being made in the heat of battle.  In Scripture there were long prayers and short prayers, private prayers and public prayers, personal prayers and prayers made with 2 or 3 others.  Prayers might emphasize thanksgiving, praise, confession or requests.  It is as varied as the circumstances we face.

·        Prayer at all times.  We are to persevere, as Paul says here and as Jesus made clear in the parable of Luke 18:1-8.  The oddity is that we sometimes think we don’t have time to pray because there is so much that is pressing about us.  Yet the fact is that the more pressing the circumstances the more we are needing to be in touch with our Provider, our Refuge, our Strength!  The word watchful means to be alert.  The lesson is driven home by the disciples in Gethsemane who could not stay awake, in spite of Jesus’ admonition to watch and pray lest you enter temptation (Mk. 14:38).

·        Prayer for all the saints.  The soldier of Christ realizes he is not fighting alone.  He is part of an army that fights under the same Commander.  Thus in his praying for himself he is mindful to pray for others.  The blessing of interceding for others makes prayer a powerful weapon in the battle.  The assumption here is that all the saints are involved in the battle, which is true.  Thus we pray for one another that we might be faithful, fit soldiers of Christ.  Paul adds specific requests for his own battle, asking that they pray for his boldness in speaking as he ought to speak.  This request along with his earlier prayers (1:15-23; 3:14-21) gives us an excellent start in praying for one another.

          In the verses that conclude the letter the Apostle shows his own understanding that he is not in this alone.  We see his care for the church in sending Tychicus to comfort them.  And he encourages them with the reminders that we live by God’s provision and out of His abundant grace.

          Does all-prayer have it’s place in your daily, moment-by-moment battle?  Or are you fighting in your own power?  Let us pray unceasingly (1 Th. 5:17).