Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Sometimes we treat prayer like it's a spare tire. We only use it when everything feels a little flat. But what if it were the engine? What if it were the actual driving force of our lives?
Well, Paul had something to say about this in today's Verse of the Day, and I'm super grateful that we get to break it down and expound together.
It's Ephesians chapter 6, verse 18. It says, "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
Think About What That Means
Think about what that means. Think about your own life. It feels as if we only get to that point where prayer becomes super regular and super consistent when things have gone awry. But what if it were an ongoing conversation between you and God? How different would your life look?
A Story from the Commute
When you start your day, when you're on your commute—I literally was just telling a story on my way to this very studio. I was coming here so that I can speak to you, speak life directly to you. A crazy storm fell out of nowhere. Literal rain pouring. I'm talking speed limit 75, but we're going 50. Hazard lights on. Can't see a single thing.
Yet there I was, pouring my heart out, listening to Casting Crowns: "I'm going to praise You in this storm." I'm praying for the words that God wants to speak from my heart to the people who are going to hear these words.
Why would I do that? Even in a moment where fear could have been running amok in my mind? Anxiety could have been running amok? Because Paul understood the importance of prayer and praying.
Prayer Is More Than Emergency Requests
Always pray in the Spirit at all times—not just when things aren't going your way, not just when things are tough, not just when you had a setback, not just when your heart is grieving a loss, not just when you have a need—a physical need, a financial need, when you need help. That's easy to do.
But we're not looking for easy. As believers, we have to get to the point where we build real spiritual disciplines. You know, Paul didn't just write this for his own health, although this was helping him on his own journey. He wrote this for the people that he knew needed it most, because they had not yet built the habit of understanding that prayer changes things. Prayer is power.
Paul knew this, and that's why I'm honored to get to share this verse with you.
Pray in the Spirit
I'm going to read it again: "Pray in the Spirit."
Think about that in itself. Is your prayer solely about asking for something always? Or are you allowing room for God's Spirit to direct your prayer? What are you praying for? What are you praying about? What are you asking? Is it always only about you and what you need? We must be careful with that.
At All Times and on Every Occasion
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion." Not some occasions, not bad occasions, not when something really great is happening. When I'm saying thank you every day without ceasing. "Stay alert and be persistent in all your prayers for believers everywhere."
My Challenge to You
My challenge to you is: as you begin this process, instead of treating prayer like an emergency—help me get through this situation—a crisis intervention card I'm going to use prayer the way God wanted me to as a tool to communicate with the Father, which He gifted me the right to do.
Every day, I'm going to focus on pouring my heart out to Him.
Start an Ongoing Conversation
What if this week you chose to start an ongoing conversation on your commute, before you go to bed, when you wake up, when you're getting dressed and ready for the day, when you're brushing your teeth? This ongoing conversation with God will transform your life.
My challenge to you is: pray for one friend, family member, or coworker—that's not yourself—this week, and watch God's mighty, magnificent hand at work.
