Blog Layout
God Calls us to Pray
Andrea Lende • January 8, 2021
Ephesians 6:18
God Calls us to Pray
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/God-Calls-us-to-Pray-eonaan
Ephesians 6:18
“Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).”
Paul petitions the Ephesians to pray.
He tells them to be constantly in prayer.
He tells them to pray for everything.
And He tells them to pray “in every season”.
I am fortunate to live in a part of the country that participates in seasons – summer, winter, spring, and fall.
This blesses me because each new season signifies change.
A start of something new.
I believe the Lord put the seasons in our lives to assure us that change is a part of His plan.
All things changing all the time.
A reminder that He makes all things new.
We are embarking on a new season as a country, and I petition all of us to pray.
Pray as Paul told the Ephesians.
He gave very specific instructions.
Pray without ceasing.
Pray during every season even if the season is a difficult one.
Especially when the season is a difficult one.
Pray in the spirit.
Keep alert.
Just as Jesus told the people to stay alert and watch we are to be vigilant during these difficult times.
The Amplified Bible further defines Paul’s words to mean remaining strong in purpose and perseverance.
He also told the people to intercede on behalf of all of God’s people.
So, let us pray.
Let us pray for one another and all believers.
Let us be strong and vigilant and not give up in our minds or spirits.
Today I choose to pray with purpose and intercede for all of God’s people as His plan is firmly in place.
May you find that as you pray for yourself and others that you will be lifted up into God’s presence and be strengthened by Him.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me about the power of prayer. Thank You for calling me to pray for myself, my family, and for all of Your people. Thank You for reminding me to remain vigilant and watchful. Strengthen me in all ways to serve You, Lord. Help me pray for all those needing prayer and may my prayer be received by Your Spirit. May You hear all the prayers of the people and answer us as Your will is done. Help us follow Your whispers and do as You ask of us. Help us stay alert and be watchful as these days have been difficult. Do not let us faint in our own minds. Heal our hearts, our minds, and our country, Lord. May Your peace be upon us and be felt by each one of us. May You rise up against those who attempt to tear down our nation. And may we still be a nation that is led by You, Almighty God. Deliver us from evil and lead us not into any temptation set up by the enemy. Keep us standing firm in You, Lord. Help us bless those around us this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.
Answer: I AM with you and all My people, and I hear your prayers.
Response: Thank You, Almighty God and Father.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.