Ephesians 6:18–20 . . .

“Pray in the Spirit — Fearlessly”

In our previous commentary, we realized how impactful all six pieces of a Christian’s armor are for God’s children. Because of each piece’s supernatural capability to quash the Tempter’s power, let’s remember to put all of them on, continuously donning them so we can successfully stand firm in our battle against Satan. See detailed accounts of the first three and the second three pieces of God’s armor.

Paul will highlight in vv. 18–20 how we believers are to fight fearlessly for God through continual prayer. We’re to pray: with all kinds of prayer; at all times; in the spirit; alertly with all perseverance; for all the saints. Remember, the Christian life isn’t about making yourself happy and comfortable. It’s a battle with the unseen forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. To fight for God against Satan — the evil enemy — we must become people of consistent and persistent prayer! We’ll successfully and safely advance, so long as we pray earnestly as Paul iterates in these three verses!

As part of the whole armor of God in this final chapter of Ephesians, Apostle Paul includes two add-on pieces. First, we should fight spiritual battles with prayer. This means praying in the Spirit — relying on his power — also, resting in his guidance while responding to his promptings — praying all kinds of prayers on all occasions. Second, Paul encourages us to “be alert.” Spiritual alertness can aid us in being prepared for Jesus’ return (Mark 13:33), gaining victory over temptation (14:38), and interceding for other believers (Eph. 6:18).

Verses 18 to 20 set forth the dynamics of prayer in spiritual warfare. It’s not the armor that makes the warrior; it’s the character of the fighter. The warrior needs to be upheld by and with prayer. I hope you’ll enjoy studying and testing the following prayer-focused teaching.

How and When to “Pray in the Spirit” (6:18)

Paul urges us to use every kind of prayer available as we converse with God: group prayer, individual prayer, silent prayer, shouting prayer, walking prayer, kneeling prayer, eloquent prayer, groaning prayer, constant prayer, fervent prayer — just be sure to always pray!

We can say that it’s through prayer that spiritual strength and the armor of God both work prosperously. In theory, the prayer-less Christian can be strong and wear all the armor but never accomplishes anything because he or she fails to battle prayerfully.

We take up our helmet and sword both by praying and being watchful. We’re to pray on all occasions or every time a situation arises (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is important in spiritual conflict. The word “all” implies concentration and thorough praying on every occasion. Every kind of prayer shall be prayed: confession, praise, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession.

Prayer must be done using the Holy Spirit’s power and potential. The Spirit of Jesus enables us to pray more adequately (Romans 8:26; Jude 20). This phrase “pray in the Spirit” suggests that we continually pray under the Holy Spirit’s influence. We need the Spirit’s accompaniment, assistance, guidance, and more when we pray collaboratively in the Spirit.

Our ultimate reliance on Christ to succeed in spiritual warfare is underscored in v. 18. The phrase “pray in the Spirit on all occasions” covers everything that comes before it. In so doing, it indicates that we clothe ourselves in the armor of God — in Christ himself — by praying consistently and persistently. Persistence in prayer is a hallmark of trusting in God’s care, relying not on one’s abilities but remaining open to accepting and following the Spirit’s directives. Praying at all times is nothing less than always acknowledging our weaknesses and need for the Lord’s mighty assistance efforts when battling against Satan’s schemes and attacks.

Realize this: A good soldier keeps watch for the approaching enemy; he never sleeps based on spiritual confidence; he must remain on guard constantly, insistingly praying in the Spirit. A Christian soldier’s prayerful dependence must rely on the consistent attitude of our hearts, both in difficult times, which make us quick to run to God, as well as when prosperous seasons tempt us to forget our need for him. John Calvin writes, “Paul therefore desires us to allow no opportunity to pass — on no occasion to neglect prayer; so that praying always is the same thing as praying both in prosperity and in adversity.”

And, the word “all” occurs four times in this opening verse (once translated “always”). Note the fourth use of “all.” The Christian should never forget or neglect to pray for all Christians. We need to pray when we and others are battling a spiritual war. Our utmost prayerful concern should be for spiritual issues, not physical problems. We must pray not only about our own spiritual problems but for the spiritual battles that others are fighting. Prayer is an act that documents our dependence on God, no matter what we or the people for whom we pray might be facing.

Clearly, prayer is to be made “in the Spirit” (v. 18), which has nothing to do with speaking in tongues. It refers instead to calling or pleading on God to provide specific things: “all kinds of prayers and requests.” The Spirit is the One who prompts us to pray, then takes what we offer and makes it acceptable to the Father. We’re told that the Lord wants us to make specific requests while understanding that they’ll be granted in accordance with his perfect will only (1 John 5:14).

Boldly Proclaiming the Mystery of the Gospel (6:19–20)

With prayer on his mind, Paul goes on to encourage his readers to pray for his ministry and him personally. Believing in the effectiveness of prayer, Paul was confident that if Christians prayed for him, he’d have liberty to preach the gospel, even though he was imprisoned at the time. Herein, he asks in particular that prayers be prayed for his work in presenting and promoting the gospel. He wants to be able to “fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,” thereby unlocking its mystery.

After bringing up the idea that spiritual warfare is to be waged on behalf of others, Paul asks his readers to also pray for him. He could have requested prayer for many things, but he wanted his readers to pray that he’d be able to “fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” He probably had in mind his upcoming defense before Caesar. We could imagine, instead, Paul asking for many self-satisfying things, such as relief from his imprisonment or for other comforts. But his heart and mind were fixed on his responsibility to act in a God-honoring way to be an oracle and ambassador to effectively promote Jesus’ gospel account.

The “mystery” of the gospel  Paul refers to the gospel message as a “mystery” that needs to be made known. This doesn’t mean the gospel is vague or unclear! Rather, previously hidden, it was now revealed by God. The mystery includes truths such as “salvation being available to both Jews and Gentiles through their faith in Christ.”

Prayer isn’t merely to be a private matter devoted exclusively to our personal requests and needs; we’re instead instructed to pray for “all the Lord’s people (saints).” We must remember that, as fellow believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, we’re all members of the same spiritual body (1 Corinthians 12:26–27). Knowing that, we must recognize that every one of us undergoes similar trials and temptations (1 Peter 5:8–9). According to Paul’s v. 19, we’re instructed to pray especially for every one of God’s servants who proclaim the gospel of Jesus to the world. Paul’s Ephesians letter is his call to allow the gospel story to reshape everyone’s life story.

Paul was humble enough to request prayer for himself while he was in prison. In today’s passage, he asks for intercession, specifically exhorting the Ephesians to pray for his boldness in proclaiming the “mystery of the gospel.” This gospel was the reason for his chains, and if, as is likely, Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesian church body sometime during the imprisonment recorded in Acts 28:11–31, his specific requests are understandable. After all, the apostle to the Gentiles was about to go before the most powerful man on earth in his day — Caesar. Due to the intimidating pomp of the Roman court, it would have been tempting even for him to avoid speaking the truth boldly. Paul, never a foolish man, needed all the spiritual help he could get fulfilling the call to preach to the emperor. That’s why he needed others to pray with him to effectively wear the armor of God.

Repeatedly, Paul again asked that he might make the gospel known “fearlessly.” As a chained prisoner in Rome, he was tempted to play it cool. But he felt driven to make the gospel known to many. As such, he needed to be brave enough to proclaim it, which is why he also asked fellow believers to pray for his strength in presenting and declaring the gospel message to many, albeit while wearing chains.

That said, we should examine our prayers and see if the’re mostly physical requests. If so, we’re ignoring the more important spiritual side. Instead of praying physical requests, prioritize your spiritual prayer effort: Pray for character growth for yourself and others. Pray for strength to deal with weaknesses in your life and others’ lives. Pray for strength against temptation. Pray for needed salvation of many, including friends and family.

Finally, the apostle’s reference to himself as an “ambassador in chains” indicates the radical difference between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdoms of this world. None of Paul’s pagan contemporaries would have referred to themselves in this way, for to imprison an ambassador from another nation would have embarrassed the ambassador, the sender, and the country hosting the diplomat. But Christ, who humbled himself for our sakes (Philippians 2:5–11), sends lowly ambassadors on his behalf — ambassadors who may have to suffer greatly to announce Jesus’ reign.

The conclusion of today’s passage contains a bit of irony: The one giving instructions on how best to prepare for battle wears chains as a captive. Indeed, he’s also reliant on God’s troops for their prayers for him. Even this dynamic apostolic leader depended on the Lord’s strength and the community’s bonds to persevere so he could fruitfully proclaim Jesus’ gospel in face of all opposition.

Closing Considerations — Ephesians 6:18–20

Having covered each of the six components of the armor of God, we must realize that we’ll never be able to effectively resist Satan’s powerful ploys if we rely on ourselves. It’s essential for believers to continually wear the belt of truth to keep the daggers of false doctrine from cutting our legs out from under us.

Thankfully, Christ’s accredited righteousness gives us ultimate protection from condemnation and accusation. Add to that the breastplate of a Spirit-developed righteous character that guards against the powerful blows of our sinfulness that attempt to destroy our hearts.

What’s more, our wearing the shoes of the gospel of peace gives us solid footing that readies us for every battle against the devil. The shield of faith provides us requisite shelter in God against the flaming arrows of Satan’s enticing temptations. And our salvation helmet protects our minds, enabling us to stay focused on Father God’s kingdom. His Word becomes our mighty sword, the essential weapon that takes down all of the Lord’s enemies, forcing them to submit repentantly while forcing us to bow, on our knees perhaps, to show our appreciation for the extremely valuable gift of salvation we’ve been given.

Continual prayer in the Spirit, both for ourselves and fellow believers’s needs, is the means by which we wear this armor. Praying in the Spirit isn’t a mystical experience. Rather, it’s an alertness to pray, along with a quickness to pray, because, knowing that the Holy Spirit intercedes with and for us during every prayer, we recognize the power in acknowledging our dependence on God.

As an apostle, Paul saw his primary role as boldly declaring and explaining the gospel message, even while in chains. His focus wasn’t on his own comfort or freedom but on faithfully carrying out his calling. In essence, Paul asked for prayer support to fulfill his mission — to clearly and courageously proclaim the newly revealed truth of salvation through Christ — by relying on God’s empowerment to do so successfully, even in difficult circumstances. John MacArthur made this revealing observation: “Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians begins by lifting us up to the heavenlies;it ends by pulling us down to our knees.”^{[ 1 ]}

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