“Be Alert; Pray On All Occasions!”

“Be Alert; Pray On All Occasions!”
When we translate “prayer” into any of our mother tongues and retranslate back into English what we have is “greeting God,” “calling God” or “talking to God.” That is why prayer is easily understood as “conversation with God.”
Prayer is the backbone of the Christian life. Prayer is the only weapon we use with confidence to overpower the devil! When I’m home my grand daughter will from time to time come to me. And she’s always coming and going. Sometimes she comes to report that the mother has beaten her. At other times she comes to say she wants either water or juice to drink; sometimes she just leans on me and is telling me something. At other times, not minding what I’m doing she comes insisting, “grandpa, carry me. I’m tired!” At such moments she is very insistent. Then sometimes she just comes and praises me. What I admire most is that whenever you give her something she’ll always say, “thank you.”
From her actions I see a pattern by which we should approach God in prayer. Paul advises, “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Praying “in the Spirit” has been given varied interpretations, but I would think that Paul is saying prayers should not be cerebral! Prayer should be spiritual, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
As much as we pray for ourselves we must always intercede for others as well; especially the messengers of the word. Paul is very specific here: “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should”(Eph. 6:18-20).
My friend, to pray for the ministers of the word would not be asking too much from you.
What is important to note is that you must be constant in prayer. Always be in communion or in conversation with God!
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, through you let me be alert and pray in the Spirit at all times. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!