Life: Connected through Prayer

• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Oct. 12 focuses on Ephesians 6:18-22.

Introduction

Jesus taught about prayer (Matthew 6:5-13; Luke 18:1), and his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). The Apostle Paul frequently references prayer and encourages believers to pray (Romans 8: 26; 2 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

The importance of prayer cannot be overstated; it is the believer’s heart communication with his or her Redeemer. The Almighty Ruler of the universe has opened the courts of heaven for his beloved children to call upon him (Jeremiah 33:1-3). Prayer is the most important of all Christian disciplines because it encompasses all other Christian disciplines (Bible study, worship, Christian service, giving, etc.).

This week’s passage closes the body and message of the great epistle to the Ephesians. The epistle describes God’s grand preplanned salvation the Lord offers to people by grace so they may receive it by faith. The implications for Christian service are tremendous, and Paul describes how believers should dedicate their newly transformed lives to serving others.

The inspirational sendoff is the “armor of God” section that begins in 6:11. The armor itself is protective, and each piece relates to an aspect of God’s salvation. The single weapon in the “armor,” the sword, corresponds to God’s word of salvation. The passage then concludes with an immediate description of how to wield the sword of God’s word. It is to be exercised by prayer. Often this detail is left out, but now has become the subject of this week’s lesson.

We are to pray for each other (Ephesians 6:18)

Verse 18 emphasizes the Bible’s encouragement to pray. The verse often is translated as a command. Instead of a cold edict from an autocrat, the command has the flavor and force of a parent who, while running alongside a bicycle and pushing a child, hollers: “Pedal! Push the pedals! You’re doing good! Pedal hard!” Similarly, Paul says: “Pray! Pray! Pray!”

Let’s consider a key grammatical matter. Verse 18 actually continues the sentence begun in verse 17. The two verbal words of verse 18 actually are present participles, not finite verbs, and describe action meant to be concurrent to the action of the main verb in verse 17.

Without a verb, verse 18 is a participial phase extending the action of the verb in verse 17. Because the verb in verse 17 is a command, the participles in verse 18 often are rendered into English as commands. Such a rendering is acceptable, but the passage has more truth to offer. The participles in verse 18—“praying” and “being alert”—describe attending actions to the activity commanded in verse 17: “take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit … through … praying … and being alert.” God’s salvation and word must be handled with prayer.

Prayer is emphasized in verse 18 by four words. The first three prayer words occur together. The first, a noun, generally refers to prayer. The second, also a noun, denotes earnest or urgent requests. The third, the participle “praying,” tells us to wield God’s word by praying prayers and earnest requests. This triple emphasis on prayer is to be practiced at all times and in the Spirit. Jesus wants his people always to pray, and similarly Paul triply encourages his readers to pray at all times.

The second participle speaks of alertness. This must be pursued with all perseverance. Prayer must be a determined effort. Believers must persist and endure whatever necessary to remain alert in prayer. Alertness is a military concept, appropriately found in context of the armor of God.

The alertness is to be focused on earnest prayer for other believers. This fourth word for prayer actually repeats the second word for prayer. Paul’s thought process is that the use of God’s word requires prayer. He heavily asserts praying by the triple reference. Then he adds a specific focus for prayer: other believers.

We are to pray for the leaders of the church (Ephesians 19-20)

Paul extends the sentence by requesting prayer for himself. Paul was concerned about effectively communicating the gospel. No concerns are made regarding his health or his living conditions. Verse 19 mentions Paul’s “chain” (singular). Other than a reference to being held in legal custody, the chain tells us nothing about Paul’s situation.

Since Paul has passed on, two applications of these verses still remain. First, believers must pray for their spiritual leaders. Christian work is difficult, working with people in their variety of personalities and needs and engaging in spiritual warfare which is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Second, believers must pray for the communication of the gospel. The preaching and teaching of the gospel transformed the lives of Paul’s readers, and it continues its work in the lives of believers and nonbelievers.

When possible, we should stay abreast of how we can pray for others (Ephesians 5:21-22)

Paul finishes the body of his epistle by stating he was sending Tychicus to tell his readers about his situation. Tychicus is described as a beloved brother and faithful servant, qualities to which all believers can aspire. Tychicus’ visit was to encourage the hearts of Paul’s readers. They have been strongly encouraged to pray at all times. Tychicus’ presence would give them plenty to be encouraged about with a letter arriving from their apostle, the likelihood of good news regarding Paul’s situation, and, greatest of all, the news regarding the advance of the gospel elsewhere.

Often in writing, the lasting impression comes from one’s final words. Paul’s lasting impression is his encouragement to pray. The epistle shows how God has taken care of all things for the benefit of his people. With the confidence of a healthy faith in the Lord who has applied his power to the communication of the gospel, Paul encourages his people to pray.