EPHESIANS 6:18-24
PERSISTENT PREPARATION IN PRAYER
Ephesians 6:18 PrayG4336 in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petitionG1162. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
6:18 This verse introduces the general character of a believer’s prayer life: 1) “all prayer and supplication” focuses on the variety; 2) “always” focuses on the frequency (cf. 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 (cf. Rom. 8:26, 27); 4) “being watchful” focuses on the manner (cf. Matt. 26:41; Mark 13:33); 5) “all perseverance” focuses on the persistence (cf. Luke 11:9; 18:7, 8); and 6) “all saints” focuses on the objects (cf. 1 Sam. 12:23).
MacArthur Study Bible
SUSAN: Prayer indicates worshipful, humble prayer. The Greek word sounds like our word prostrate, a position of humility before our King.
G4336 προσεύχομαι proseúchomai, pros-yoo’-khom-ahee; from G4314 and G2172; to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship:—pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
SUSIE: Adoration and praise should always be a part of our prayer life. Confession and thanksgiving are another component of our worshipping the Lord in prayer.
SUSAN: Supplication (KJV) is detailed petition, requesting something specific from God for the person being lifted up in prayer.
G1162 “δέησις déēsis, deh’-ay-sis; from G1189; a petition:—prayer, request, supplication.”
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
G1162 – to make known one’s particular need. Want, need. In the NT, supplication or prayer for particular benefits, petition for oneself or in behalf of others.
The Complete Word Study Dictionary, NT, Spiros Zodhiates, ed.
SUSIE: When we remind ourselves of the awesomeness of our Lord, we can confidently make our requests known to Him.
SUSAN: Pray always—never stop praying. We are to be alert for prayer in every situation. Being in an attitude of prayer means we can immediately switch from person-to-person conversation to communicating with the Heavenly Father about our own or another person’s needs.
SUSIE: What does it mean to pray in the Spirit?
SUSAN: We need to be vertically lined up when we pray, praying in accordance with the will of God, being alert for the Spirit’s prompting.
SUSIE: As we saw in our study of John’s gospel, praying “in Jesus name” means in a manner that glorifies Him.
SUSAN: We are to be the watchman on the wall, the person on guard duty in our prayer lives. We should be awake and observant, to be ready to pray at all times.
SUSIE: When we see a need in the Messianic Community (those who believe Jesus to be the Messiah), we should lift it immediately to the One who can meet it. We need to open to the Spirit’s leading when the Lord desires us to be His means of meeting needs. We should also be prepared to pray for the Lord to draw those who have not yet trusted in Him.
Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
SUSIE: Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him as well. He asks that the Lord give him the words and enable him to boldly preach the gospel even in his situation of being imprisoned for doing so. This is in accordance with what Jesus told His disciples:
But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.
Matthew 10:17-19 (NASB)
SUSIE: Note that Paul did not ask them to pray for his personal comfort or even for his release.
SUSAN: His focus remained the spread of the Gospel, the Good News. The mystery unlocked was that the gospel was intended for ALL who trust and believe in Jesus, not only the Jews.
Ephesians 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NASB)
SUSIE: Paul had already been speaking boldly which is why he found himself in prison in the first place. Still, he asks them to pray that he will continue to unashamedly preach the gospel no matter the consequences.
SUSAN: Paul did not want his humanity to get the best of him but wanted to continue walking and moving by the Spirit. His desire was to be a faithful ambassador for the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 6:21 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.
SUSIE: Tychicus was a convert to Christianity from Asia Minor and had been sent by Paul on missionary journeys. He was carrying the letter to the Ephesians and could give them a first-hand report of how Paul was faring in prison.
Ephesians 6:22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
SUSIE: Paul wanted to reassure the Ephesians that he was doing well. He did not want them to be overly concerned about his condition. Paul was in a position that might require encouragement, but he sought to encourage others.
Ephesians 6:23-24 (BSB) Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undyingG861 love.
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerityG861. Amen.
Ephesians 6:23-24 (KJV)
SUSAN: Paul prays that the God-head would grant peace, love, and faith to the believers at Ephesus and all who would read this letter as it was passed to other churches.
SUSIE: He also asks that grace for daily living be granted to all who have trusted Jesus, those whose love for Him could not be destroyed.
G861 – aphtharsia – incorruptibility: gen. unending existence. (fig.) genuineness – immortality, incorruption, sincerity.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
PONDER THIS: Prayer is really the final piece of the armor of God. Prayer and Bible Study are how we receive the battle plan from our Captain, Jesus Christ. Praying prepares us for battle, encourages us in the midst of battle, and comforts us during the difficulties of spiritual battle. It is also the way we can build up ourselves and others as we engage in spiritual warfare.
CHALLENGE: Review the prayers of Paul in Ephesians and his prayer requests. Do you need to pray similar prayers for yourself or others? Work on a way to pray intentionally for your own needs and the needs of others. We have a spreadsheet divided into categories such as salvation/rededication, healing, ministry needs, national leaders, etc. Your categories may vary because we all know people with different needs. Occasionally, the Lord leads us to send a card to those we have prayed for to let them know we are petitioning our Lord on their behalf. We mark answered prayers on the spreadsheet to encourage ourselves to keep interceding.