With All Prayer in the Spirit
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit. Ephesians 6:18a NASB
Prayer is one of the most important disciplines of a believer’s walk in Christ. Prayer is our means of communication with our heavenly Father. Prayer is what we have been called to as priests of God. The authority that Jesus has given to His church to overcome the kingdom of darkness is implemented by prayer. Prayer is not only our thoughts being expressed to God, but also through relationship with the Holy Spirit, the receiving of God’s desires. “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10b NASB).
Paul used the word all in: “With all prayer and petition pray at all times” (Ephesians 6:18a NASB). When writing the Thessalonians, Paul admonished them, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB). Prayer is not a ritual, but rather a lifestyle. Prayer must be Spirit-led to accomplish God’s purpose, and not from one’s own soul life. “For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples” (Isaiah 56:7c NASB).
The New Testament gives us an expanded dimension of prayer. “To pray” always refers to “prayer” to God. “Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection” (2 Corinthians 13:7–9 KJV).
I quote the King James Version because that version uses the word “wish.” Paul is praying for his desire or wish to God for the Corinthians.