Pray. Always.

God tells us, His kids, to pray always. But in my early years as a believer, busy with family, job, school, friends, fellowship, traveling, and all those things that seem to keep us busy, I neglected my prayer time with God. Troubles would come up and I’d get serious about it for a while until I received God’s deliverance, then back to busy.

I liken my previous view of prayer to two things. I compare it first to a beloved child—off at college, gets busy with life, forgets he has parents, doesn’t realize how much they love and miss him, have concern for him, and would just like to hear his voice. Until more money is needed!

That was me. I was neglecting my most important relationship until I needed something from Him. But how much more does our heavenly Father beseech us to talk with Him, to have continual fellowship with Him, to acknowledge His love always?  He wants to answer our every prayer, fulfill our every need, take care of our every concern. And He wants us to simply enjoy our fellowship with Him in prayer, thankful to Him for all He provides for us. But I was taking Him for granted, and so I was missing out on the full joy of fellowship with Him.

I John 1:3,4:
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ:
And these things we write, that our joy may be made full.

My other view of prayer involved thoughts like, “My friends and loved ones (and I) have big needs, how can my little prayers make a difference?” or, “I can’t just pray, I have to do something!” This kind of thinking particularly showed up when I didn’t see immediate answers to prayer. So I would conclude that I hadn’t made much difference by praying, and I’d have to work it out by doing something myself.

Then I read this verse in Ephesians 6.

Ephesians 6:18:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

That’s a lot of “alls”! It impressed upon me the serious necessity of prayer. The phrase “with all perseverance” especially stood out to me. God is asking me to pray always with all strength and endurance for all saints. People with small cares, others with great need, were depending on me to persevere in calling on Almighty God, my heavenly Father, to show forth His delivering power and love on earth.

Not only that, take a look at the context of verse 18 from the preceding verses to see how powerful and important it is that we pray.

Ephesians 6:10-18:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

The context is standing, strong in the Lord and the power of His might. God equips us with the whole armor of God (truth, righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God) and we put it all on so that we are able to stand and withstand. Once standing, what do we do? Pray always and watch.

Picture the sentry, the shepherd, the watchman on the wall.  Each stands guard, awake and watchful with all perseverance.  What are they watching for? Any attack of the enemy. They have guarded their heart with God’s righteousness. They hold in mind their complete deliverance. They are ready at any moment to identify the wiles of the Devil, to run with the gospel of peace to the saints in need, to quench the fiery darts of the wicked, to wield the sword of the spirit (the Word of God) against all lies, committed only to God’s truth.

That’s us. Once we have put on the complete armor, we’re ready. And when any believer, any saint of God is attacked, we’re already calling upon God in prayer. How often and how much do we pray? Ephesians 6:18 says “always.” When we continue in prayer we can patiently endure the challenges around us, and we will have peace in our hearts.

Romans 12:12:
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.

 Philippians 4:6,7:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We can have peace because we know that our heavenly Father is faithful and will hear our prayers.

I John 5:14,15:
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, my brothers and sisters. Stand watch. And pray. Always.