Isaiah - Verse By Verse

Walk thru Eph #149

versebyverse | April 28, 2008 20:16

Thought:  To me, our culture would do well to understand that only prayer made to God, The Father of Jesus Christ, is true "in the Spirit" praying.

Question:  Do I pray "in the Spirit"?

Scripture:  Ephesians 6:18 (NIV):  "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 saints."

Prayer is for people.  It is for their success in the ways of God and in His Kingdom, which is "not of this world."  Thus we are commanded to pray "in the Spirit" and "for all the saints."  As a conclusion to being a well-protected, well-armored Christian, Paul exhorts us to be prayer warriors.  Prayer, as it were, bathes each piece of armor, or empowers each piece, drawing God's Spirit down into our lives as we ask Him to enter and take over each and every aspect.  Thus Paul says, "all occasions", and "all kinds of prayers and requests."  No activity or corner of our lives is left out of God's touch.

Our praying should be "in the Spirit", that is, not a running off at the mouth of our own thoughts and ideas, or long, articulate, religious, formal prayers offered basically to impress listeners with our knowledge, but rather, a reflection of total dependence on God.  Spiritual prayer is swathed in humility:  "I am nothing, but You, Lord, are Everything!"  It is God's Spirit overcoming us, filling us, influencing our words so that they are fitting to bring the total support of all God's ways, all God's purposes--not our own.  We pray "in the Spirit" both for ourselves and others when we focus on what God wants for us, subjecting even our own requests, what we think we need and want, to His Will.  Yet we voice our requests, oh yes!  And we bring EVERYTHING to God, even the nagging immaturities we may be embarrassed to admit having.  Passed through God's Spirit they are properly subjected to His gaze and we learn and grow.  And most importantly, praying "in the Spirit" is praying in the name of Jesus Christ, that is, in agreement with all that Christ would approve.

True spiritual prayer is an activity that requires alertness, that is, constant vigilance, and persistence, perseverance--the attitude that says "don't quit."  When we are ever observant and watchful, no crack is left for satan to wedge his toe into.  Prayer becomes the invisible protectorate between the pieces of armor, the insurance to cover all the chinks and openings.  Thus Paul, after the long list of armor, says, "And pray..."

Prayer:  Father, thank You for the avenue of prayer--a direct line to You.  Help me to bring EVERYTHING to you and EVERYONE to You, too, in prayer at ALL TIMES.  Amen. 

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