Pray 2!

Pray 2!

Ephesians 6:18 AMPC

[18] Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

Paul, the writer of the letter to the Ephesian church, must have been under some form of restiction or imprisonment. He made reference to this experience in several letters, but one thing is clear: he did not allow this rather unfortunate circumstance dim his vision and ministry. He pressed on with the work God had committed into His hands, and laboured to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to people the world considered inferior at the time. Like Paul, so are we today. The need for salvation has not been dimmed by the passage of time. The effect and power of sin has not been reduced by the advancement of science and technology. The system of this world continues to find new ways of doing evil, but God continues to provide the grace and strength we need to successfully navigate the system of the world. That is what the entire chapter from where the verse above is taken makes clear. 

Paul would have seen a Roman soldier, and the attire would have inspired this letter, and this chapter lays emphasis on the Armour of God. Every piece was carefully laid out, and the role of every piece was also emphasised. I note that the armour lays out the offensive and defensive protections that a soldier on duty for God has. There is a part of the armour that does not specifically mention a part of the body, but it is as effective as the parts of the armour that cover specific parts of the body. That part is called PRAYER. Take a moment to reflect on the instruction to pray at all times, and on every occasion, in every season, in the Spirit, and with all manner of prayer and entreaty. How does a soldier who is to alert at all times while on duty find time to pray at all times? When does he fight then? What this tells me is that the fight that a child of God is called to is not that will be settled by physical instruments but by the help of the One who supplies the tools that guarantee victory. 

I am mandated to keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance. This means that I must expect resistance and some opposition. There is also a part where I get to open my spiritual eyes and ask God to help me correctly interpret what is going on around me, and then to react the right way to whatever God has enabled me to see. If I do not see well, how can I intercede on behalf of God's people? If I do not know what the right need is, how do I react the right way? This is a call to me to take time to know God on a personal level, and not just to know on the surface, but to develop a relationship with Him. I must not be content with surface devotion, eye-service or lukewarm attitude to the things God considers important. God has supplied the channels of engagement and communication; I have the duty to take full advantage of His provision so I can fully access all of Him. Would you do the same? God's time of favour is here.