Series on Spiritual Warfare

In this series of posts, we will discuss spiritual warfare and how it influences and impacts us as family members who have difficult situations in our families.

Part 12

After Paul gives instructions to the believers in Ephesus on all the pieces of armor, he adds this in Ephesians 6:18 “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.”

Ephesians 6:18 reads differently depending on what version of the Bible you are reading. The New Living Translation says “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Whereas The Voice translation says it this way: “Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed.”

Isn’t it interesting that Paul wraps up instructing the believers about each piece of armor and how they are to wear it and use it to defend themselves by instructing them to pray for others?

Here we see he is now telling them to be concerned for others’ well-being. You’ve heard the saying, “Before you assist others, always put your oxygen mask on first.” I don’t know who actually said this but it relates to safety instructions a flight attendant gives the passengers on an airplane. In other words, you cannot help others if you don’t first help yourself.

Well, here we have the same principle in Ephesians. Paul knew that they wouldn’t be much help to their fellow brothers and sisters if they weren’t able to protect themselves, fight their own battles, and be in a position of strength in order to help others.

He concludes here by informing them to pray in the Spirit for all the Lord’s people. He reminds them to be watching out for others when he says to be or stay alert. He tells them they are going to need to be persistent in prayer. Persistence means you don’t just pray one time and leave it at that. You keep on praying until evil has been stayed. He tells them to pray always with all kinds of requests and to pray in every way they know how. He tells them to pray feverishly.

Feverishly is an interesting word. Some synonyms for the word feverishly are:  actively, intensely, desperately, tirelessly, diligently, continuously, unrelentingly, exhaustively, and painstakingly. It sounds to me like Paul is telling them to put their whole self out there and intercede for others until they see the victory has been won.

This can only happen as they know their strength comes from the Lord. 

Remember Paul told them in Ephesians 6:10 “…Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” First things first, know where your strength comes from. It comes from the Lord.  And remember your strength does not rest in what you can do but it rests in God’s power within you.

And then he tells them how to be prepared for the battles they face. He gives them instructions about the various pieces of armor they are to wear and use. He tells them when they have done everything to stand.

In other words, never give up. Stand your ground.

And now here he wraps it up by instructing them to take care of their fellow believers in a way that means they are committed to them in prayer.

The old-time Pentecostals used to pray in the Spirit for as long as it took until they could feel the breakthrough come and they knew the battle had been won. Now, this might mean they closed their doors in their homes and prayed on end for days. It might mean they had prayer meetings nightly for days, weeks, or longer contending in the battle for a person or over a region, for example. It might mean they persisted in prayer for hours and hours at a time. It might mean they gathered corporately one night a week interceding for someone or something until they knew the battle was won. Sometimes, depending on what they were contending for, this might be for years. (For example, there are those Intercessors who have been praying for our nation for years and years.)

Do we have the same tenacity to keep on warring, especially for our families, until we know the battle is won? Do we have the same love for others, especially our families, to lay our lives down for them in the prayer closet?

May I invite you to consider as most important not the length of time you pray, nor the hours you pray but rather the spirit in which you pray and then also, just being consistent in praying?

1 Peter 3:12 says “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their prayer…”

Until next time, my friend, may the Lord cover you with his feathers.

May He shelter you with his wings.

May His faithful promises be your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:4 NLT)

Remember, you are loved with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3a)