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(18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Ephesians 6:18

Explanation

In this last part, Paul gives several requests that he wants them to pray for as engage in this spiritual battle. The first part is a general request in verse 18.  He gets more personal in verses 19-20

Now, the occasion of the battlefield prayer is “always”.  The nature of the battlefield prayer is sleepless, watchful persistence. What are the requests of these prayers?  What are they praying for?

There is a term that is used twice in verse 18. The word is supplication. The word supplication speaks to asking God to supply. A supplication is a petition, or a request.  It’s asking God to meet a need. Notice that the supplication is given “in the Spirit”.  We are asking for the kinds of the things the Spirit wants.  We are wielding the Sword of the Spirit, and we are praying in the Spirit.

Notice also that supplication is “for all saints”.  We are in the battle with some fellow soldiers. Paul’s prayers in Ephesians and other books are instructive. His prayers for them were primarily spiritual.  He wanted them to know the truth of God’s Word and what it meant for them.  They were also practical.  He wanted them to live out the Christian life.

Application

We are not on our own.  We cannot win on our own. We need the Spirit. We need our fellow believers. We need prayer. We need to pray for others. “So when I fight I fight on my knees…”

Response

Do you pray for fellow “in Christ” people?  Are your prayers for them primarily for healing, and for physical provision?  Are your prayers for them eternal?