“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18, NLT)
In the meditational book, Embracing Eternity, a story was included to demonstrate how too many Christians view prayer. There, we find this illustration: “I once heard of a deacon’s meeting that was steeped in controversy. The arguing had reached a fever pitch and no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t seem to come to an agreement on some key issues. After a long and heated discussion, one of the deacons suggested, “Why don’t we pray about it?” Another man took a deep sigh and said, “Has it come to that?”
Funny how often we see prayer as a last resort. When all other options have been exhausted, and no stone has been left unturned, we lean back in our chair and think, Maybe it’s time to take the matter to God.” (LaHaye, Jenkins, and Martin; p. 356)
Surprisingly, Christians often fail to connect with God on a frequent basis. Even pastors are guilty. I remember while speaking to a pastor friend, he lamented, “I’ve been too busy to even pray!” Should it ever come to that? Prayer isn’t just for those times when everything else has gone wrong. As in the illustration above, it is not the “last resort”. It is not something meant as a duty or obligation. It is not something that should be added to the day if one has the time. Prayer is meant to be a constant part of a holy life. It is something that should be first on one’s list, not included only when everything goes wrong or when convenient. Prayer forms a powerful connection with God. It changes you. It alters your thinking. Good prayer will often open up possibilities and give you ample warning of things going wrong. Prayer can strengthen your resolve against evil spirits. Prayer can settle the soul and bring peace to a weary mind. It can heal the body. It can lighten the soul. Why not pray throughout your day?
The scripture above from Ephesians 6 contains Paul’s instruction concerning prayer. In writing to the church in Ephesus, Paul included the wisdom that the church should “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” (Ephesians 6:8). Pray is not something that should be engaged in during holy times, worship times, or spiritual retreats alone. Prayer is meant to be a constant connection between you and your God. Paul adds that one should be “persistent” in their prayers for all believers. Also, one should “stay alert” in prayer, seeking God’s clarification of the spiritual battles nearby. Prayer is a powerful way of keeping tabs on every other part of your spiritual life.
Notice that the scripture for today emphasizes that prayer “in the Spirit” is what is needed at “all times” and “on every occasion”. Paul included the instruction to pray “in the Spirit” in order to separate out those prayers that are not done WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT’S INPUT. Some people pray out of habit, saying rote prayers without pondering their words. Some people pray only during worship or meals, neglecting constant communication with God that keeps you spiritually alert. Some people pray without listening for God to speak through the Holy Spirit. Prayer is meant to be a two-way communication between believer and God Almighty. The Holy Spirit forms the connection in the same way that a phone line forms a connection between two people making a phone call or a cell tower transmits the signal between two cell phones. You absolutely cannot get a call through to another person at this time without some kind of transmission line or cell tower. In the same way, you will not directly communicate with God in prayer without the connection that the Holy Spirit provides.
God has supplied you with a direct line to Him. True believers in Christ have been blessed with the Holy Spirit to enable that communication with the divine. Why not use it? Why not check in with God frequently? God wants to speak with you, warn you, help you, calm your soul, and so much more. Prayer is a powerful way to accomplish all these goals and more!
“Billy Graham tells the story of a young president of a company who instructed his secretary not to bother him during the morning hours of each day. He had a standing appointment that he refused to miss. One day the chairman of the board came to speak with him, and the secretary caught him at the door. “He cannot be disturbed,” she told the chairman. “He has an important appointment.”
The angry chairman wouldn’t take no for an answer, so he burst through the president’s door to find him on his knees beside his desk. He was praying. The chairman quietly backed out and closed the door softly. “Is this usual?” he asked the secretary. “Yes, he does that every morning,” she answered. As the chairman walked away, she heard him say under his breath, “No wonder I come to him for advice.”" (Embracing Eternity, p. 356)
How often do you speak with God? Do you pray “in the Spirit”? Is there something missing in your life, because you have not taken the time to pray about it? Let me encourage you to speak with God throughout your week. Come to God before you eat a meal. Speak with God during all parts of worship. When you are at a stopping point in your day, calm yourself, then open up to God in prayer. When stressed or irritated or worried or hopeful or jubilant, come to God in prayer. Find those little moments throughout your day to “pray in the Spirit”. I absolutely guarantee that it will not only change you, it will calm you and ease your burdens, and empower you, and strengthen you, and……. so much more!
Funny how often we see prayer as a last resort. When all other options have been exhausted, and no stone has been left unturned, we lean back in our chair and think, Maybe it’s time to take the matter to God.” (LaHaye, Jenkins, and Martin; p. 356)
Surprisingly, Christians often fail to connect with God on a frequent basis. Even pastors are guilty. I remember while speaking to a pastor friend, he lamented, “I’ve been too busy to even pray!” Should it ever come to that? Prayer isn’t just for those times when everything else has gone wrong. As in the illustration above, it is not the “last resort”. It is not something meant as a duty or obligation. It is not something that should be added to the day if one has the time. Prayer is meant to be a constant part of a holy life. It is something that should be first on one’s list, not included only when everything goes wrong or when convenient. Prayer forms a powerful connection with God. It changes you. It alters your thinking. Good prayer will often open up possibilities and give you ample warning of things going wrong. Prayer can strengthen your resolve against evil spirits. Prayer can settle the soul and bring peace to a weary mind. It can heal the body. It can lighten the soul. Why not pray throughout your day?
The scripture above from Ephesians 6 contains Paul’s instruction concerning prayer. In writing to the church in Ephesus, Paul included the wisdom that the church should “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” (Ephesians 6:8). Pray is not something that should be engaged in during holy times, worship times, or spiritual retreats alone. Prayer is meant to be a constant connection between you and your God. Paul adds that one should be “persistent” in their prayers for all believers. Also, one should “stay alert” in prayer, seeking God’s clarification of the spiritual battles nearby. Prayer is a powerful way of keeping tabs on every other part of your spiritual life.
Notice that the scripture for today emphasizes that prayer “in the Spirit” is what is needed at “all times” and “on every occasion”. Paul included the instruction to pray “in the Spirit” in order to separate out those prayers that are not done WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT’S INPUT. Some people pray out of habit, saying rote prayers without pondering their words. Some people pray only during worship or meals, neglecting constant communication with God that keeps you spiritually alert. Some people pray without listening for God to speak through the Holy Spirit. Prayer is meant to be a two-way communication between believer and God Almighty. The Holy Spirit forms the connection in the same way that a phone line forms a connection between two people making a phone call or a cell tower transmits the signal between two cell phones. You absolutely cannot get a call through to another person at this time without some kind of transmission line or cell tower. In the same way, you will not directly communicate with God in prayer without the connection that the Holy Spirit provides.
God has supplied you with a direct line to Him. True believers in Christ have been blessed with the Holy Spirit to enable that communication with the divine. Why not use it? Why not check in with God frequently? God wants to speak with you, warn you, help you, calm your soul, and so much more. Prayer is a powerful way to accomplish all these goals and more!
“Billy Graham tells the story of a young president of a company who instructed his secretary not to bother him during the morning hours of each day. He had a standing appointment that he refused to miss. One day the chairman of the board came to speak with him, and the secretary caught him at the door. “He cannot be disturbed,” she told the chairman. “He has an important appointment.”
The angry chairman wouldn’t take no for an answer, so he burst through the president’s door to find him on his knees beside his desk. He was praying. The chairman quietly backed out and closed the door softly. “Is this usual?” he asked the secretary. “Yes, he does that every morning,” she answered. As the chairman walked away, she heard him say under his breath, “No wonder I come to him for advice.”" (Embracing Eternity, p. 356)
How often do you speak with God? Do you pray “in the Spirit”? Is there something missing in your life, because you have not taken the time to pray about it? Let me encourage you to speak with God throughout your week. Come to God before you eat a meal. Speak with God during all parts of worship. When you are at a stopping point in your day, calm yourself, then open up to God in prayer. When stressed or irritated or worried or hopeful or jubilant, come to God in prayer. Find those little moments throughout your day to “pray in the Spirit”. I absolutely guarantee that it will not only change you, it will calm you and ease your burdens, and empower you, and strengthen you, and……. so much more!