Prayer Is Our Real Work

We are all prone to timidity.  Timeless then, is our Apostle’s urgent appeal in Ephesians 6:18-20 to pray in the Spirit with persevering alertness for the Church’s boldness in its Gospel proclamation.  At the conclusion to the Apostle’s discussion of fighting valiantly in the spiritual war, we come to the absolutely crucial matter of prayer.

Praying in the Warfare

Ephesians 6:18 ESV “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,”

Prayer is not a piece of the armor, but it is clear that this praying belongs with the discussion above because of the participial form of “praying.”  In other words, after the soldier is outfitted for war, he is to pray a lot because the battle again is won by the Lord, not one’s skill in the battle or his spiritual merits.  

Dependent prayer accesses the power crucial for success in the spiritual war, being aware of both our spiritual goals in situations, and our very real weaknesses.  We can have real confidence going to prayer, and while praying, and then we will find real power resulting from prayer.

We are to pray at all times, at every opportunity, for the struggle never stops, for us or for others.  To pray in the Spirit means under His influence and with His guidance and assistance.  It is not a special way to pray (e.g. speaking in tongues), but a way of stating exactly what prayer is--intense spiritual activity.

In performing this constant prayer, we are to be alert in intercession for others in the war, as well.  In fact we show our love for all the saints by our prayer for them.  Alertness means perseverance and vigilance in petitioning for others according to their need.  It means keeping spiritually sharp and focused in our prayers.  

Prayer is powerfully effective in the spiritual war and does make significant gains.  The Holy Spirit guides our prayers to pray according to the will of God.  God then answers our spiritual prayers empowering His Church.  We really are accomplishing remarkable work in the Mission by praying for our church partners.

Praying for the Boldness

Ephesians 6:19–20 ESV “and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

The Apostle Paul is in prison in Rome and will soon have an opportunity to speak of the revealed mystery of the Gospel before Caesar or his deputy.  How important and daunting!  His chains in this passage speak more of his obligation with God for the Gospel as His ambassador.  He does not pity his difficult situation, but rather he revels in his own mission and this opportunity!

Even the Apostle Paul requests prayers on his behalf for boldness in testifying to the Gospel.  However, this is not asking out of weakness.  He does not distrust or doubt, instead he is eager to fulfill his ministry faithful to the very end.  He desires strengthening so he will know what to say and how to say it without fear.  He wants to be able to speak freely, and have powerful expression, and be clear.  He knows that the prayers of the church will be effective for this outcome and so asks for them.

So, if the great Apostle asked, then we should not be ashamed of asking for boldness, for all of us are still in the body of weakness.  Often, we all need and want prayer for the same things; and so we ask and pray such for one another.  It is true that our Gospel partners need our many prayers for their boldness; and we ourselves need theirs for us.

2 Corinthians 1:11 ESV “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

Colossians 4:2–4 ESV “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”

We Need a Renewed Understanding of the Work of Prayer

Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Pastor Ben Patterson, in his book Deepening Your Conversation With God asks, “Why don’t we believe we’re getting anything done when we pray?”  He answers, “Two reasons:  the world’s view [secularism] and the world’s pace [busyness].”  The logic of secularism is busyness.  When we get busy, prayer is the first thing to go, when prayer is what will rescue us.  But, prayer is our real work--giving up on human efforts and trusting God to work.

Pastor Adoniram Judson Gordon (1836-1895) of Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston, a model for many of a “dynamic mission station,” put it clearly, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed.”