Pray for Other Disciples
26th MARCH, 2021
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints [Ephesians 6:18 — KJV].
After listing the components of the armour of God, Paul by the Holy Spirit admonishes Christians to pray always in the spirit and be alert in supplications for all of God’s people.
This is in allusion to the practice of some warriors who called on the name of their gods before going to war. The implication of this instruction is that without calling on the name of God, even our defences as soldiers of Christ will not be effective.
The Greek word used for prayer in our opening scripture (proseuche) is used only of prayer to God. It means to be before God in adoration, petition or thanksgiving. As disciples, we are in battle for our Master — on a divine assignment to make disciples of all nations — and communication in battle is a pivotal tool for victory. Hence, prayer is indispensable to the Christian soldier; prayer ensures that our efforts are crowned with success, and gives victory.
E. M. Bounds, one Christian author who wrote extensively on prayer once penned “What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men — men of prayer.”
We are to pray at all times, in the spirit, and make supplications for all saints. Praying in the spirit means relying on the strength of the Holy Spirit in prayer by settling our hearts and minds on God and what He is able to do in, through and for us. Supplication refers to prayer continued in strong and incessant pleadings, till evil is averted, or good communicated. Remember that another disciple is relying on your prayers to carry out life for Christ. Make it a point to set apart some of your prayer time to prayer specifically for other believers.
Father, thank You for reminding me about the importance of prayer today. I will rise to offer supplications for other believers, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further Reading: I Thessalonians 5:17
Bible In One Year: 2 Samuel [2–5]
