“…praying always with ALL PRAYER and SUPPLICATION in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all PERSEVERANCE and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18) ALL PRAYER (en panti kairo: at each and every occasion.)
If we want to grow in our spiritual walk, we need to make prayer a CENTRAL PART of our lives. But in order for prayer to be the great adventure God wants IT TO BE IN OUR LIFE, we must understand that there are all kinds of ways to pray. Most people don’t realize there are different kinds of prayer. But according to this verse, God has actually made many forms of prayer available to us to use as needed, such as the PRAYER OF FAITH, the PRAYER OF INTERCESSION, the PRAYER OF CONSECRATION, and the PRAYER OF AGREEMENT.
Sometimes life can be difficult and challenging. For one thing, the devil doesn’t want us to be blessed or successful in our endeavors. So in order to face the inevitable attacks that arise against our marriage, finances, body, job, and career, we must come to realize that prayer is indispensable. We cannot succeed as a Christian without an ACTIVE and EFFECTIVE prayer life. “The EFFECTUAL (powerful, successful) FERVENT (energeō: putting forth power) prayer of a righteous man AVAILETH (ischuō: to have power as shown by extraordinary deeds) much” (James 5:16)
Paul then notes some specific applications of prayer in this verse and the next. First, believers are to pray “in the Spirit.” Our prayers are not merely our thoughts or about our desires but are to be done in SUBMISSION TO GOD.
Lord, I pray that you forgive my disobedience and my rebellious spirit. It is my heart’s desire to live in COMPLETE SUBMISSION TO YOU with no resistance. So, right now, I submit my will, my desires, and my plans to your authority. I accept that my life is no longer mine, but it was PURCHASED WITH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, and so it belongs to you. Lord, I am willing to go where you lead and follow your instructions. Lord, it is no longer my will, but LET YOUR WILL BE DONE IN MY LIFE.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham