Ephesians 6:18:
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,1
Does it ever seem like there is a log jam in the channel of our Christian life? We learn so much, but what we learn sometimes seems to slow down or disappear on the way from our heads to our hearts to our hands. Prayer is the means to freeing the log jam. An encouraging message by John MacArthur on Ephesians 6:18 unpacks this. Listen or read here:
https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/1962/praying-at-all-times.
After taking in that sermon, here's an encouraging song wherewith to worship God in response: "My Life is an Offering" by Sovereign Grace: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/my-life-is-an-offering/.
Below are some practical topics for prayer:
- Praise and thank God (Ps. 92; 100)!
- For who He is (Ex. 34; Ps. 100; 103; 145)
- For what He has done so far in the day
- For people He has put in your life
- Pray for the church (Eph. 1; 3:14-21; 6:18-20; 2 Thess. 1:11-12). Tip: Google churches in the area, and around the world, and pray for them!
- Pray Acts 28:30 for your church leaders
- Pray for the persecuted church
- Start the day with prayer: Matt. 6:9-14
- Pray for healing, strength, wisdom, peace and trust in the Lord for those who are sick
- Pray for unbelievers and those suffering from natural disasters
- Praise and thank God for His faithful answering of prayers from that day/week
- Pray for opportunities to serve Jesus, and thank Him for those He gives
- Pray for opportunities to serve Jesus, and thank Him for those He gives
- Pray for wisdom for others and yourself with regards to circumstances arising during the day
- Pray for authorities (1 Tim. 2:1ff)
In order to pray effectively in the Holy Spirit, study and memorize Scripture. Memorize some of the prayers above found in Scripture or find other ones, and pray them throughout the day. Set specific time aside to pray. (I've found that praying 3 times a day, like Daniel, has been a wonderful help to praying always). Perhaps pray in the morning, noon and evening.
"Heavenly Father, thank You for the gracious gift of prayer. May we do as Your word says, and pray always. Thank You that you have called us into fellowship with Your Son (1 Cor. 1:9). May You be glorified in all. In Jesus' name, Amen."
1
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Eph 6:18). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
