I.
I suspect most of the time we come to this paragraph, we are drawn to the description of “the whole armor of God.”

Not at all a bad image to explore and consider how God equips us for our daily walk.

But today I would like us to start at the end of the paragraph – the encouragement to prayer.

The New Revised Standard version presents it thus –

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”

Also consider how it is rendered in The Message translation –

“In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”

II.
Ephesians 6:10-18 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm. Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

III.
What is your sense of Paul’s intent when he writes, “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.”

Why might he encourage the community at Ephesus to, “Pray … at all times in every prayer and supplication”?

I have to admit it first strikes me as redundant.

Or is it something more?

Is he merely encouraging constant prayer as he has done in other epistles?

Or is he suggesting that at times some folk do not fully engage (or invest) themselves in their praying? Might that be why he calls attention to “pray in the spirit”?

How would Paul write to you about your praying?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}