Praying

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18).

 There are so many things packed in this one Scripture; pray always, with any kind and every kind of prayer and any kind and every kind of supplication and pray in the Spirit.  Then Paul adds watching with all, meaning any and every kind of perseverance and supplication for the saints.

Praying always Paul commands us. Immediately for us who speak English, we understand this to be continually. But the Greek word that was translated always means at any uncertain time, occasion or set time, opportunity, due season or time. I can almost hear the sigh of relief because many of us have been burdened with the failure of praying always which in our minds meant continually, or maybe it was just me. But it takes on another connotation of the word always, that when we pray, we should always pray with every and any kind of prayer and supplication in the Spirit. That raises the question about 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”  No cause for alarm because it’s the same word Paul used in Ephesians 6:18. Instead of using the word always to translate the Greek word, the word “ceasing” was used. Many teachings have been taught, but the best thing to do is to study for oneself and with the help of the Holy Spirit, see what the original intention was of what was written for us.

We have studied how the Holy Spirit is in us helping us, guiding and leading us and always speaking to us.  He does this when we pray also. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26) He not only shows us what to pray for and how to pray, but the Holy Spirit Himself will also pray and intercede.

There is another word which stands out to me and that is the word watching. This word doesn’t mean to guard, keep an eye on or keep vigil. It means that through subsilience, persevere and make supplication for the saints. Subsilience is an ancient word that not even the internet recognizes, meaning a combination of subsistence and resilience, now used in the area of agriculture and ecology. But used in the Word of God, subsilience, meaning subsistence and resilience, have significant meaning. What Paul is saying is to keep maintaining flexibly through any changes good and bad in you or the subject of your prayer, your intercession and petitions for all the saints. Again, we see the word “all,” meaning any and every saint. We are not limited on whom to pray for (the good, the bad and the ugly.) This is also full of so much meaning we have to pause and think how this will work.

It means praying believing God’s Word and promise, (Mark 11:24) allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and pray also (Romans 8:26). It means getting in your prayer closet where you can be alone with the Lord and speak one on one with Him. (Matthew 6:6) It means that while praying there are many temptations and distractions to keep us from praying what we should and how we should.  Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) Here the word “watch” does mean keep vigil or be watchful.  It’s a different Greek word than the one Paul used in Ephesians. So pray being vigil to those temptations and distractions that will come to keep us from praying what we should and how we should. Romans 12:12 tells us to be “continuing instant in prayer.” It means to always persevere and be constantly diligent to pray.

If we are in “communion with the Holy Spirit” (2 Corinthians 13:14) He will show us when to pray and whom to pray for and it just might be that motorcycle rider with the words, “born to kill” tattooed on his arm that passed us on the highway or that homeless woman who was begging and cussed us for not giving her enough money. It might be the pastor of our church or the pious old woman at the front of the church. But at that moment the Holy Spirit shows us their face, we should pray for them.

Pray that His kingdom come and that His will be done not only on earth, but in yourself, your family, your church, the saints and others. (Matthew 6:9) God sees it already done. And pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6,7) that no matter how God chooses to answer that prayer, it is the best in that situation because God wants what is best for us. (Romans 8:28)

There are volumes that can be written about prayer. But even this bit is enough to help us.