May 11

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:18
 
​Memorize this Verse: (Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.)
​18. P A W A P A S I T S A W T W A P A S F A S

Notes on verse:

This verse introduces the general character of a believer’s prayer life.

1. “All prayer and supplication” focuses on the variety;

2. “Praying always” focuses on the frequency (Rom. 12:12; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17);

3. “In the Spirit” focuses on submission, as we line up with the will of God (Romans 8:26-27);

4. “Watching thereunto” focuses on the manner (Matt. 26:41; Mark 13:33);

5. “All perseverance” focuses on the persistence (Luke 11:9; 18:7-8);

6. “All saints” focuses on the objects (1 Sam. 12:23).

All the while that we are fighting in the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we are to be in prayer. Prayer is the very spiritual air that the soldier of Christ breathes. It is the all-pervasive strategy in which warfare is fought.

“Praying” is grammatically linked to “stand” (in verse 14). Without prayer God’s armor is inadequate to achieve victory. Prayer is indispensable. “Always means “on every occasion,” that is when Satan attacks. “In the Spirit” signifies that with the Spirit’s help such prayer for divine aid is to be made.

We are to be involved in all kinds of prayer, every form of prayer that is appropriate. We may pray publicly or privately; in loud cries, in soft whispers, or silently; deliberately and planned or spontaneously; while sitting, standing, kneeling, or even lying down; at home or in church; while working or while traveling; with hands folded or raised; with eyes open or closed; with head bowed or erect.

The New Testament, like the Old Testament, mentions many forms, circumstances, and postures for prayer but prescribes none. Jesus prayed while standing, while sitting, while kneeling, and quite probably in other positions as well. We can pray wherever we are and in whatever situation we are in. “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray” (1 Tim. 2:8), Paul said. For the faithful, Spirit filled Christian; every place becomes a place of prayer.

To pray at all times, is to live in continual God consciousness. Where everything we see and experience becomes a kind of prayer, lived in deep awareness of and surrender to our heavenly Father. To obey this exhortation means that, when we are tempted, we hold the temptation before God and ask for His help. When we experience something good and beautiful, we immediately thank the Lord for it. When we see evil around us, we pray that God will make it right and be willing to be used of Him to the end.

When we meet someone who does not know Christ, we pray for God to draw that person to Himself and to use us to be a faithful witness. When we encounter trouble, we turn to God as our Deliverer. In other words, our life becomes a continually ascending prayer, a perpetual communing with our heavenly Father. To pray at all times, is to constantly set our minds “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth (Col. 3:2).

To pray in the Spirit is to pray in the name of Christ, to pray consistent with His nature and will. To pray in the Spirit is to pray in concert with the Spirit, who:

“Helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).

As the “Spirit of grace and of supplication” (Zech. 12:10), the Holy Spirit continually prays for us; and for us to pray rightly is to pray as He prays, to join our petitions to His and our will to His. It is to line up our minds and desires with His mind and desires, which are consistent with the will of the Father and the Son.

To be “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18), and to walk in His leading and power is to be made able to pray in the Spirit, because our prayer will then be in harmony with His. As we submit to the Holy Spirit, obeying His Word and relying on His leading and strength, we will be drawn into close and deep fellowship with the Father and the Son.

To pray in the right manner also involves praying specifically. “Whatever you ask in My name,” Jesus promised, “that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13). God answers prayers in order to put His power on display. And when we do not pray specifically, He cannot answer specifically and thereby clearly display His power and His love for His children.

To pray, as young children often do, “God bless the whole world,” is really not to pray at all. We must think about particular people, particular problems, particular needs, and then pray about those things specifically and earnestly, so that we can see God’s answer and offer Him our thankful praise.

Most Christians never get serious about prayer until a problem arises in their own life or in the life of someone they love. Then they are inclined to pray intently, specifically, and persistently. Yet that is the way Christians should always pray. Sensitivity to problems and needs of others, especially other believers who are facing trails or hardships, will lead us to pray for them “night and day”, as Paul did for Timothy (2 Tim. 1:3).

“Watching thereunto” means “being vigilant in the very matter” of prayer. They are to pray not just for themselves but also “for all saints.” Spiritual combat is both an individual and corporate matter.

“Supplication” here, means petition. So many people do not realize the power of praying in the Spirit. That is when you have run out of words to say, and you let the Spirit of God pray through you for the matter.

God knows just exactly what to pray for. Not only are we to petition God for ourselves in prayer, but for all the believers in Christ called saints.

TODAY'S BIBLE READING

May 11
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:

Old Testament
1 Samuel 24-25  —  8.0 minutes
Psalms 105  —  6.5 minutes

New Testament
Mark 12:35-44  —  2.5 minutes
2 Corinthians 10  —  4.5 minutes

Total Average Read Time — 21.5 minutes