‘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.‘ (Eph 6:18-20)
Paul’s words remind us of the urgent need for prayer – not just occasional prayer, but prayer ‘on all occasions’, not just one set prayer or type of prayer, but prayer in all its diverse forms and features. We need both private prayer and corporate prayer; prayer with words and in silence; prayer with movement and prayer on our knees. So often, we approach prayer diffidently, overwhelmed by the task before us. Here, Paul gives us practical tips for prayer:
- Be alert. It’s not good to relegate prayer to the last act of a busy day if you’re so exhausted, you can’t focus or concentrate at all. Prayer is hard work. At times, we have to wrestle in prayer (Col 4:12). God deserves some of our quality time!
- Pray for God’s people. Start with the people you know in your church and work from there. Everyone needs prayer. Pray for your church leaders. Pray for your friends. Pray for the children in your church. Pray for the elderly people in your church (who can perhaps no longer attend services.) Pray for the sick and needy. Then broaden your prayers to God’s people in other local churches and in the wider world. There are many people to pray for!
- Pray for fearless proclamation of the gospel. All of us need courage and fearlessness in speaking about Jesus. If Paul needed prayer for this, we surely do! As we pray for these opportunities, God will use us to proclaim His message to those who do not yet believe. Our gaze always needs to be outwards, to those who do not yet know the Lord.
