Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:10-20

Prayer is not mentioned as a part of the armor; but I would not be overrating its importance if I stated that it is the atmosphere in which the soldier must live and breathe. It is the spirit in which he must don the armor and face the foe. Prayer should be continual, as Paul wrote in Thessalonians, without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), not sporadic; a habit, not an isolated act. Then too the soldier should use all kinds of prayer: public and private; deliberate and spontaneous; supplication and intercession; confession and humiliation; praise and thanksgiving.

And prayer most assuredly should be in the Spirit, that is, inspired and led by Him. Formal prayers recited merely by rote (without giving thought to their meaning), of what value are they in combat against the hosts of hell? There must be vigilance in prayer: watchful to this end. We must watch against drowsiness, mind-wandering, and preoccupation with other things. Prayer, Spirit-led prayer, requires spiritual keenness, alertness, and concentration. And there must be perseverance in prayer. We must keep on asking, seeking, knocking (Luke 11:9). Supplication should be made for all the saints. They are engaged in the conflict too, and need to be supported in prayer by their fellow soldiers. That is exactly how we protect one another’s backs in conflict.

Regarding Paul’s personal request, and for me, remember Paul was writing from prison. Yet he did not ask prayer for his early release. Rather he asked for utterance in opening his mouth boldly to declare the mystery of the gospel. This is Paul’s final mention of the mystery in Ephesians. Here it is presented as the reason for his bonds. Yet he shows that he has no regrets. Quite the contrary! He wants to broadcast it more and more.

Ambassadors are generally granted diplomatic immunity from arrest and imprisonment. But men will tolerate almost anything better than they will tolerate the gospel. No other subject stirs such emotion, arouses such hostility and suspicion, and provokes such persecution. So Paul, as Christ’s representative was an ambassador in chains. John Eadie, in his commentary on Ephesians, states it well:

A legate from the mightiest Sovereignty, charged with an embassy of unparalleled nobleness and urgency, and bearing with him credentials of unmistakable authenticity, is detained in captivity. ²

The particular part of Paul’s message that stirred the hostility of narrow religionists was the announcement that believing Jews and believing Gentiles are now formed into one new society, sharing equal privileges, and acknowledging Christ as Head.

Today, we are the beneficiaries of that truth. Thanks to Paul’s boldness of speech, we are united as one Body, soldiers rightly outfitted in the company of Christ Jesus.

² John Eadie, Ephesians, p. 480.
Adapted and modified excerpts from William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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