It Starts Small

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Ephesians 6:18-20

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests

We are called to embrace the powerful discipline of prayer, wholeheartedly dedicating ourselves to it. Each day brings challenges, temptations, and moments of gratitude. We must ignite our spirits in prayer during these times. Just look at the fervent examples set by Daniel, Nehemiah, and others! When Nehemiah first heard about the plight of his people and the dire circumstances surrounding Jerusalem, he did not hesitate. He immediately turned his heart to God in fervent prayer (Nehemiah 1). Later, when the king offered him a chance to express his innermost feelings, Nehemiah’s response was swift. He offered a quick and passionate prayer that shot up to heaven. He embodied a vibrant lifestyle of prayer, seamlessly weaving together powerful, lengthy supplications alongside fervent, spontaneous bursts of devotion.

We all know we are to do this, but are we doing it?

Pray in the Spirit –

In the fervor of prayer, we reach out with more than just our desires. We strive for the earnest yearning to align our hearts with Christ’s will! It is in these sacred moments that we surrender our own ambitions and submit wholly to His divine purpose. What a powerful practice it is to come before God! We do not seek our agendas but His profound wisdom for our lives. True prayer transforms us. It ignites a passionate quest for alignment with His truth. It reminds us that it’s not about changing Him but about allowing Him to reshape us from within.

Be alert

This profoundly resonates with our attitude. It brings to mind the garden where the disciples succumbed to sleep, oblivious and unprepared. We must awaken to the harsh realities of the world enveloping us. We should remain vigilant against the enemy and our own vulnerabilities. We must cultivate an acute awareness of the conditions that surround us.

always keep on

Jesus passionately illustrates this in Luke through the compelling parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). Never give up! If something is worthy of prayer even just once, it deserves our fervent prayers time and time again. When the request is noble and true, persist in bringing it forth. Let us always remember to pray in the Spirit, igniting our requests with unwavering faith!

This is not an endorsement to bring our selfish requests to Him repeatedly. We should not bring requests that we know are not God’s will. It is not about hoping He will give us what we want. Rather, it is a reminder that if we are praying in the Spirit, we should keep doing so. Even if the answer is slower, we should persevere in our prayers. The answer might also be different from what we thought we would see.

the Lord’s people

We are called to pray for one another. It is all too easy to let our prayers become centered on our own needs. Yet, let us shift our gaze toward others. We must recognize that we are in a profound spiritual battle. In this battle, prayer stands as a mighty weapon. Offering our prayers for others is one of the most powerful ways we can serve and uplift them. I earnestly encourage each of you to commit to lifting each other up in prayer throughout the week. This will ignite a spirit of unity and love in our community.

 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

Paul’s petition transcended mere physical needs. Although he was confined in prison, he did not ask for prayers for his release. Instead, he sought prayers for boldness in his speech! There is nothing inherently wrong with seeking prayer for physical things. Yet, consider Paul. Most of his prayers for the saints and for himself were profoundly spiritual in nature. He yearned for holiness, wisdom, and the development of character.

We must passionately examine our prayers and determine if they are predominantly filled with physical requests. If they are, we risk neglecting the vital spiritual dimensions of our existence. Let us pray for our character growth. We should pray for the weaknesses we face in our lives and the lives of those we love. Pray with conviction for the strength to resist temptation and for the salvation of our cherished friends and family. How can we elevate our prayer life, ignited by the profound truths revealed in this passage?

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Cross-References

• Romans 8:26-27
• Romans 12:12
• Colossians 4:2

Discussion Questions

• When should we pray?
• What does it mean to pray in the Spirit?
• What can we get from the command to be on the alert?
• Who should we pray for?
• What was Paul’s prayer request?
• Was this a physical need?
• Do your prayers mostly focus on the physical side or the spiritual side?

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