“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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,” Ephesians 6:18-19
At the end of Ephesians, Paul writes that the church should put on the whole armor of God in order to stand against the enemy. This instruction and corresponding imagery provides us with great spiritual insight into the proper way to prepare for spiritual warfare. It centers around the truth of the gospel and the power of God’s Word. What can often be missed in this passage is the instruction to pray that is the immediate action of those who have “taken up” the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
Paul’s admonition is not just a simple call to prayerfulness, but a direct call to fervently plead to God on behalf of “all the saints” and for his work as an apostle. This is prayer that is “at all times in the Spirit.” It’s both consistent and authoritative, unending and powerful. This is a prayerfulness that has an eye on the enemy’s schemes while also having its feet planted in the truth.
Do we pray like that for one another?
I admit that I am not consistent in this endeavor, but I long to be. I also know that many of you also desire to grow in this area of Christian life. Therefore, let’s encourage one another to pray for our church this summer. Heritage is not only in the midst of governance and growth conversations, but we have several short term ministry trips going overseas, camps that are taking place, and weekly ministries that involve sacrifice and love for one another.
With all this going on, how should we pray?
While prayers of safety and provision are good and right to pray, let’s go deeper in our prayers and consider how Paul prayed for the church. Below is a list of prayers that Paul prayed for the church. Notice what consumed his prayers. His prayers are filled with a desire for the people of God to know the riches of Christ and live in accordance with His word so that Jesus would be glorified in their obedience. Therefore, let’s pray Paul’s prayers for one another and that we may know “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe. (Eph 1:19)”
Paul’s Prayers for the Church
Pray for Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding:
- Ephesians 1:17-19: Paul prays “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.” (ESV)
- Colossians 1:9-10: He prays “that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (ESV)
- Philippians 1:9-11: Paul prays “that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (ESV)
Pray for Strength, Love, and Fullness:
- Ephesians 3:16-19: Paul prays “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (ESV)
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13: He prays, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” (NIV)
Pray for Unity and Peace:
- Romans 15:5-6: Paul prays, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (ESV)
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (ESV)
Pray for Hope and Joy:
- Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (ESV)
Pray for God’s Purpose and Glory:
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (ESV)