Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. – Ephesians 6:18 NLT
What if praying was as consistent as breathing? Not only that, what if it was just as instinctual? With each inhale, our hearts filled with God’s Spirit—with each exhale our minds cleansed of all our distractions.
What Does It Mean to Pray at All Times?
As Paul encourages us to pray in the Spirit at all times, this should be our goal. Not to find ourselves cornered away in prostrate prayer for hours on end. His exhortation speaks towards a rhythmic centering of the soul on Jesus. A mindfulness of our thoughts which overflow into our words and actions.
What Do I Pray For?
Just as our breathing is not sporadic but a steady, calming habit, our prayers should not be scattered or haphazard. They should be a state of persistent reflection—bearing evidence to our mindfulness of God above and the people around us.
As we pray in the Spirit at all times, our awareness of the needs of those around us should be elevated. Our expectancy for God’s response should be ever-present.
Too easily can we be swept away with the motions of our day; schedules consume our thoughts while convenience and efficiency dictate our next move. Praying shields us from such hurried living. It anchors us through rolling waves. It binds us to a greater purpose.
Set Your Mind On Things Above
Praying may seem like an inward focus—a chance to draw into our minds as we speak with God. But ultimately, prayer should be an upward focus as it draws our attention to the heavens, setting our gaze on the King who sits upon His throne.
Prayer should never be an excuse to not interact with the world. On the contrary, prayer is the catalyst that propels us to engage with the world with the heart of God.
