praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Truth to Learn
Prayer is important in spiritual battles and at every other time.
Behind the Words
“Praying” is from the Greek verb proseuchomai, which is made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and euchomai, meaning “to vocally express a wish or a vow.” Proseuchomai means “to pray to God.” It is a generic term for praying.
The word “always” is translated from en panti kairō, which literally means “in all seasons” or “at all times.”
The word “supplication” is translated from deēsis, which is derived from the verb deomai, meaning “to make known a particular need.” Deēsis is sometimes used in reference to a prayer in general, but it typically refers to a specific request for oneself.
Agrupneō is the word translated “being watchful.” It is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and a form of hupnos, meaning “to sleep.” So, literally this word means “without sleep,” but figuratively it means “to be watchful and attentive to possible danger.” It is a picture of a watchman who is alert and watching out for danger while everyone else is asleep.”
“Perseverance” is from proskartereō. This is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and kartereō, meaning “to endure.” Proskartereō means “to remain steadfast and faithful.”
Meaning Explained
Paul now seems to abruptly switch from spiritual battles to the believer’s prayer life. Actually, the change is not as abrupt as it may first appear. He recognizes that prayer is vitally important in the midst of spiritual battles. However, prayer is just as important for every other aspect of the Christian walk, so Paul uses the subject of prayer to bring his teaching to a close.
First, he teaches us when to pray (in all seasons). In other words, even though we end each individual prayer with “amen,” our attitude of prayer continues. In 1Corinthians 5:17, he teaches us to “pray continually.” Our minds and spirits should always have an open connection with God. Next, Paul tells us that we should pray with all kinds of prayer, making known all kinds of needs. There is nothing so insignificant that it should not be prayed about. Our prayers should always be “in the Spirit.” This means that we need to be “in tune” with the Spirit of God, sensitive to His leading, submitted to His will, allowing the Spirit to intercede for us when we don’t know how we ought to pray.
“Being watchful” is probably in reference to spiritual attacks from our enemy. We need to be ever on our guard, so that we can bathe each skirmish in prayer. Paul then tells us that we need to remain steadfast and faithful in our prayer life, not just for our own battles, but for all Christians.
Application
Prayer is so easy, yet at times it’s hard to do. It is nothing more than talking to God, yet it is easy to forget about in all the busyness of our lives. Some people set aside a specific time of the day to pray while others endeavor to talk to God all day long. What do you do to continually talk with the One who has already given you more than you could ever ask for?
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved