Monday, July 14, 2025

             If you read the book of Ephesians, you quickly see that Paul loved the Christians in Ephesus.  He loved them with a big heart and wide-open arms.  He offered a stirring prayer for the Ephesians in 3:14-21 that we often pray for ourselves, our church and other believers today.  One of the most compelling verses in all of Ephesians is 1:16. Paul wrote, “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”  Imagine receiving a message like that from Paul!  Imagine receiving a message like that from any brother or sister in Christ.  Imagine the joy of knowing that someone is consistently and constantly praying for you.  If you knew that you could count on someone to pray for you daily, what would you ask for in those prayers?
            Think of your own prayers.  Is there someone for whom you pray consistently and constantly?  The folks and matters we pray about often change—depending upon whether we perceive if our prayers have been answered or outcomes have already been realized.  And, to be sure, a prayer petition often turns into a praise for answered prayers.  But consider if there is someone for whom you could pray consistently?  Is there a family member or a fellow believer that you could lift before the Lord in prayer each day? 
            I read an article recently that stated the comment “I’ll pray for you” often lines up with another memorable line that says the check is in the mail.  If we promise to pray for someone, it seems right and good to keep that promise.  Rather than trying to remember later, take a moment to pray immediately for that person.  Near the end of Ephesians, Paul noted that prayer is an important part of spiritual warfare.  Prayer is a critical and essential component for fighting off the attacks of the enemy.  The Bible says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18-19).  The command is to pray—consistently, constantly, on all occasions and for all of God’s people.  Never relent and never fail.
            We have some basic resources that God has given us to help us live for Him, serve Him and resist the devil.  Those resources are His Word, His Holy Spirit, worship, faith, the fellowship of other believers and unwavering trust in Him.  Prayer is an important resource that we can rely on.  We can pray anytime, anywhere.  We may not always be in a position to read God’s Word or even contact a fellow believer.  But we can always pray.  We can pray as we walk, drive, exercise or even engage in other tasks.  Paul was in prison at times and could not always be physically available to churches and other believers.  But no matter where he was geographically, he could always intercede for others by praying for them.  He could pray for their needs, celebrate their victories and ask God to hover over them. 
            Follow Paul’s lead. Take time to identify a few people for whom you could pray every day.  Lift them to the Lord.  Pray for God’s power, protection and provisions to be poured into their lives.  Try to make prayer as reflexive as breathing and as consistent as blinking your eyes.  Live with your eyes and ears wide open to see where God works and to take in His amazing deeds as you develop and grow your prayer life for His glory and the good of the Kingdom.  Have a great Monday!