Ephesians 6:18

Ephesians 6:18

Thoughts from Dayna Spaulding

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“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,”

Ephesians 6:18

QOP- Behind the Scenes
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Today’s verse comes right after Paul’s description of each piece of the armor of God. The full sentence that concludes in Ephesians 6:18 actually begins in verse 16: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

Slide

As we take up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we are to be praying all the while. If you’re wondering how it is possible to pray at all times, it’s helpful to remember that prayer isn’t just talking to God; it is existing in communion with Him. One definition of communion is “intimate fellowship or rapport”. This intimate fellowship certainly includes verbal communication, but communion with our Heavenly Father is not limited to what is expressed through words.

Slide

Augustine described unceasing prayer as an uninterrupted desire for God: “When we cherish uninterrupted desire along with the exercise of faith and hope and charity, we pray always…For to spend a long time in prayer is not, as some think, the same thing as to pray with much speaking. Multiplied words are one thing, long-continued warmth of desire is another.”

QOP- Make it Real
Slide

While viewing prayer in this light makes the prospect of praying at all times a bit more feasible, it does not mean this kind of attentiveness is automatic or easy. This is why Paul follows up by saying, “To that end, keep alert with all perseverance.” Maintaining constant communion with God is something we have to choose over and over again throughout each day.

Slide

Even though constant conversation is not necessary to fulfill the command to pray at all times, verbal prayers are vital for refocusing our divided attention on the Lord. Augustine addressed this as well, writing, “But at certain hours we recall our minds from other cares and business, in which desire itself somehow is cooled down, to the business of prayer, admonishing ourselves by the words of our prayer to fix attention upon that which we desire.”

Slide

Missionary Frank Laubach set an incredible example of intentionally fixing his mind upon communion with God. He described this habit as “keeping in constant touch with God, of making Him the object of my thought and the companion of my conversations.” But he didn’t arrive at this consistent communion overnight. He began by, “trying to line up my actions with the will of God about every fifteen minutes or every half hour.”

Slide

After years of disciplining his mind through the habit of regular pauses, Laubauch was able to say, “Now I like God’s presence so much that when for a half hour or so He slips out of mind–as He does many times a day–I feel as though I had deserted Him, and as though I had lost something very precious in my life.”

Slide

Many of us already have a few routine times throughout the day where we fix our attention on God through words of prayer. You might have a habit of beginning the morning with prayer, pausing to pray before meals, or kneeling at your bedside to pray at night. What additional prayer cues can be built into your day to help you keep alert with all perseverance?

Slide

I appreciate the practicality of breaking up the lofty goal of praying without ceasing into bite sized intervals. By committing to converse with God frequently throughout the day, we can grow in the discipline of praying at all times in the Spirit. What might begin as designated times of prayer prompted by pre-set reminders can turn into spontaneous meetings with the Lord all throughout each day as we grow to recognize His voice and crave His presence.

QOP- End in Prayer
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Dear Jesus,

Every hour I need You. I know this is true, yet so often I go hours without turning to You to acknowledge this need. I get distracted, and I see self-sufficiency as more expedient than pausing to pray. Thank You for Your mercies that are new each morning, Lord. Thank You for being ready and willing to meet with me and walk with me through every step of my day. Please draw me close and teach me to abide in You, to commune with You in every moment.

Amen.

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“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,” Ephesians 6:18 

Behind the Scenes

Today’s verse comes right after Paul’s description of each piece of the armor of God. The full sentence that concludes in Ephesians 6:18 actually begins in verse 16: “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” 

As we take up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we are to be praying all the while. If you’re wondering how it is possible to pray at all times, it’s helpful to remember that prayer isn’t just talking to God; it is existing in communion with Him. One definition of communion is “intimate fellowship or rapport”. This intimate fellowship certainly includes verbal communication, but communion with our Heavenly Father is not limited to what is expressed through words.  

Augustine described unceasing prayer as an uninterrupted desire for God: “When we cherish uninterrupted desire along with the exercise of faith and hope and charity, we pray always…For to spend a long time in prayer is not, as some think, the same thing as to pray with much speaking. Multiplied words are one thing, long-continued warmth of desire is another.”  

Make It Real

While viewing prayer in this light makes the prospect of praying at all times a bit more feasible, it does not mean this kind of attentiveness is automatic or easy. This is why Paul follows up by saying, “To that end, keep alert with all perseverance.” Maintaining constant communion with God is something we have to choose over and over again throughout each day. 

Even though constant conversation is not necessary to fulfill the command to pray at all times, verbal prayers are vital for refocusing our divided attention on the Lord. Augustine addressed this as well, writing, “But at certain hours we recall our minds from other cares and business, in which desire itself somehow is cooled down, to the business of prayer, admonishing ourselves by the words of our prayer to fix attention upon that which we desire.” 

Missionary Frank Laubach set an incredible example of intentionally fixing his mind upon communion with God. He described this habit as “keeping in constant touch with God, of making Him the object of my thought and the companion of my conversations.” But he didn’t arrive at this consistent communion overnight. He began by, “trying to line up my actions with the will of God about every fifteen minutes or every half hour.”  

After years of disciplining his mind through the habit of regular pauses, Laubauch was able to say, “Now I like God’s presence so much that when for a half hour or so He slips out of mind–as He does many times a day–I feel as though I had deserted Him, and as though I had lost something very precious in my life.” 

Many of us already have a few routine times throughout the day where we fix our attention on God through words of prayer. You might have a habit of beginning the morning with prayer, pausing to pray before meals, or kneeling at your bedside to pray at night. What additional prayer cues can be built into your day to help you keep alert with all perseverance?  

I appreciate the practicality of breaking up the lofty goal of praying without ceasing into bite sized intervals. By committing to converse with God frequently throughout the day, we can grow in the discipline of praying at all times in the Spirit. What might begin as designated times of prayer prompted by pre-set reminders can turn into spontaneous meetings with the Lord all throughout each day as we grow to recognize His voice and crave His presence.

Hailey Schroeder

Hailey Schroeder

ACF Devo Team

End in Prayer

Dear Jesus,  

Every hour I need You. I know this is true, yet so often I go hours without turning to You to acknowledge this need. I get distracted, and I see self-sufficiency as more expedient than pausing to pray. Thank You for Your mercies that are new each morning, Lord. Thank You for being ready and willing to meet with me and walk with me through every step of my day. Please draw me close and teach me to abide in You, to commune with You in every moment.  

Amen.  

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