Prayer In The Spirit
PRAYER IN THE SPIRIT
EPHESIANS 6:18-20
What is your prayer life like?
Christian maturity comes through extensive exposure to the word of God (“the sword of the Spirit,” 6:17) and to prayer (Paul’s instruction to “pray in the Spirit” in 6:18). Paul urges his readers to pray for one another and for himself. To pray “in the Spirit” is to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit, who provides direction, assurance and comfort in the experience of prayer. In Romans 8:26-27 Paul acknowledged that frequently we do not know how to pray appropriately, but the Spirit helps conform our prayers to the will of God. Earnest intercession for others involves conflict with the demonic (6:12f.) because intense involvement with prayer reveals to us the secret of power with God and with people.
The apostle was conscious of his own need to be supported by prayer at this time. In a parallel passage (Colossians 4:24) he urged the Colossians to pray specifically that a significant opportunity for ministry may develop. Here in Ephesians he asks that his own mouth should be opened to expound fully and boldly the open secret of the gospel. His description of the gospel as a “mystery” resumes one of the main themes of the letter—the hidden purpose of God is that the gospel is for the Gentiles as well as the Jews and that God has graciously revealed this mystery through the apostles and prophets of Christ.
Paul designates himself an ambassador, commissioned to proclaim this message (see 2 Corinthians 5:20). Envoys vested with the honor and dignity of their kings were sent to Rome from all nations of the Graeco-Roman world. Paul says he too is an envoy, but an envoy in chains, true to the character of an apostle as one who is laden with gifts and with suffering in the world (2 Corinthians 4:7-12; 6:3-10; 11:23-29). He has come to Rome not for his own personal glory, but to exalt Jesus Christ as his Lord and King.