Ephesians 6:18–22

Bible Studies for Life 
Samford University and Brookwood Baptist Church, Mountain Brook

Connected Through Prayer

Ephesians 6:18–22

We Are to Pray for Each Other (18)

Having just employed the military imagery of the “armor of God” to describe what is needed to battle the powers of darkness, Paul continues to draw on the military language of a Roman spearman in discussing the need for prayer. He issues four alerts for total spiritual mobilization by using the word “all” four times in one sentence: We are to pray at all times, with all prayer and supplication, with all perseverance, on behalf of all the saints. Prayer is not only a private act for personal needs, it also is a churchly act for the entire body of Christ. The “our” of “Our Father who art in heaven” is a universal “our,” joining the believer with all Christians who pray to God through Jesus Christ.

As they pray the Ephesians are to be alert. The phrase “watch and pray” occurs often in Scripture. As Nehemiah repaired the walls around Jerusalem he defeated threatening enemies by having the people pray and to “set a watch” over the city (Neh. 4:9). As we pray, we should be on alert for any ways that the enemy can penetrate our vulnerable points. By prayerful vigilance the evil one will be defeated.

We are to be persistent in prayer. Perseverance in prayer does not mean that we are trying to twist God’s arm to get our desired result. Rather persistent prayer indicates we are deeply concerned and burdened and cannot rest until we receive God’s answer. When we persist in prayer we can trust that God will provide us an answer in due time.

We Are to Pray for the Leaders of Our Church (19–20)

Not that Paul does not request prayer for his personal needs, but rather that he would “make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” Instead of requesting prayer for self-serving needs, how often do we request prayer for our being agents of furthering the gospel? I have a missionary friend who wonders why many churches that send out missions teams often pray for the safety of the team. Should not the church’s one prayer be that Christ would be glorified, no matter what comes of the saints who are sent? While prayers for safety are not out of order, there is a good point here to remember that our prayer should be weighted in the direction of glorifying Christ, no matter what the cost.

Also worth noting is that even Paul does not assume to have mastered his evangelistic mission. His mission must be modified and fine-tuned in each new context without compromising the fundamental truths of the gospel. Even apostles need to be undergirded by the prayers of faithful brothers and sisters. Thus the Church as a whole must continue lifting petitions on behalf of those who are sent across the world to spread the good news.

We Should Stay Abreast of How We Can Pray for Others (21–22)

Tychicus, a native of Asia, went with Paul in A.D. 57 to take the offering to the poor saints in Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). He teamed with Onesimus to bear the letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:7–9). He is later mentioned as a messenger to both Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:12) and Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). Paul describes him as a “beloved brother,” a “faithful servant” and a “fellow slave” (Col. 4:7; Eph. 6:21).

Paul was not the kind of missionary who kept his labors to himself. He relied on the family of God and wanted them to know what he was doing and in what areas he needed their prayers. Paul’s reliance on his brothers and sisters reminds us that nowhere in the New Testament do we find an isolated believer.

Christians are like sheep; they flock together. As we are reminded by all of Ephesians 6, the Church is an army and the soldiers need to stand firm and fight together.