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. (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
In this verse Paul exhorts the church to pray. He said, first of all, to pray in the Spirit. To pray without the aid of the Holy Spirit is to pray in vain. The Holy Spirit is here to help us and to lead us especially in the area of prayer. (See Romans 8:26-27)
Jude also referred to this term of praying in the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 20 NIV)
As with any Biblical passage, there can be different interpretations, but I do not believe Paul and Jude are referring solely to praying in tongues. Praying in the Holy Spirit certainly includes praying in tongues, but it is not limited to praying in tongues. All of our prayers both in tongues and with our understanding should be in the Spirit.
Praying in tongues is a great asset to the church. When Paul was dealing with the abuses of the church at Corinth, he wrote about the proper use of tongues, but he also emphasized the value of what he called "praying in the spirit." He distinguished between praying in tongues and praying with your understanding. As I said, both types of prayers should be in the Holy Spirit, and both should be practiced. So, what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. (I Corinthians 14:15 NIV)
Paul also said, I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. (I Corinthians 14:18 NIV) If the apostle Paul was thankful that he prayed in tongues more than all the members of the Corinthian church, all believers seriously interested in prayer should consider carefully what the Word of God teaches in this area.
Paul instructs the church to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Prayer is always appropriate in every situation, and on every occasion of life. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing. (See I Thessalonians 5:17)
Paul also mentioned using all types of prayers and requests, or supplications. There are many different types of prayers. Here is a list of some of the different types of prayer available to the believer.
This list could go on and on. Do you see the need for the help of the Holy Spirit? There are different occasions for prayer, and there are different types of prayer, and then there are different methods of prayer. Only by the leadership of the Holy Spirit will the believer truly learn to be effective in prayer.
- Prayer of thanksgiving.
- Prayer of praise and worship.
- Prayer for healing.
- Prayer of agreement.
- Prayer of binding and loosing.
- Prayer of intercession.
- Prayer of consecration.
- Prayer of petition.
- Prayer of invocation.
- Prayer of confession of sin.
Paul then instructed the church at Ephesus to be alert, or to be watchful in prayer, and to never stop praying for the saints. There is no substitute for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. As we learn to give less attention to the things of this world, and more attention to the things of the Spirit of God, then we will grow in spiritual sensitivity, and we will learn to be alert to those who are in need of prayer.
The Greek verb used in this verse for being alert or watchful literally means to be sleepless or to chase sleep. "It is used metaphorically to be watchful or alert. The word expresses not mere wakefulness, but the watchfulness of those who are intent upon a thing." (See Vine's Dictionary of New Testament Words, Volume 4, p. 201)
The meaning of this word indicates a diligence in looking out for the saints in prayer. The church possesses freedom in Christ. We do not live under the bondage of rules and regulations. However, the believer can't watch 50 hours of television of week and truly be effective in prayer. The believer can't stuff himself or herself with food every day, and then truly be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Discipline is a must in our walk with God.
There are a couple of other passages I want to list that deal with alertness, or watchfulness. First, Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2 NIV) Secondly, Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8 NIV)
The enemy is looking for believers to devour. We have protection through God, and his armor. However, some believers have opened the door to Satan through overt sin or disobedience to the commands of God. But, God is always looking to show his mercy and grace to the church. As believers commit to being alert in prayer, the Holy Spirit will reveal certain believers who are struggling. In these cases the Holy Spirit will help you to pray and prevent distress and destruction in the life of a fellow believer.
- Be devoted to prayer.
- Be watchful.
- Be thankful.
- Be self-controlled.
- Be alert.
Paul mentioned the role of Epaphras as he interceded for the church at Colosse. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:12b-13 NIV)
Prayer is vital to the success of the church, and millions of believers don't have a clue to its importance. So much tragedy could be averted if more believers would obey the Word of God in the area of prayer in the Spirit.
May God raise up in the church more men and women like Epaphras who are willing to wrestle in prayer for congregations and for individual saints. Today, I encourage you to make yourself available to the Head of the church to do your part in praying and watching diligently for the welfare of the saints. The rewards are truly eternal.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org
Wisdom From the Word
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