With startling and overwhelming force the
tremendous importance of prayer is set forth in Ephesians 6:18: “Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
When we stop to weigh the meaning of these words, then note the
connection in which they are found, the intelligent child of God is driven to
say, “I must pray, pray, pray. I must put all my energy and all my heart into
prayer. Whatever else I do, I must pray.”
The Revised Version is, if possible, stronger than the Authorized:
“With all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
Note the alls: “with all prayer,” “at all seasons,” “in all
perseverance,” “for all the saints.”
Note the piling up of strong words, “prayer,” “supplication,” “perseverance.”
Note once more the strong expression, “watching thereunto,” more literally,
“being sleepless thereunto.” Paul realized the natural slothfulness of man, and
especially his natural slothfulness in prayer. How seldom we pray things
through! How often the church and the individual get right up to the verge of a
great blessing in prayer and just then let go, get drowsy and quit. I wish that
these words “being sleepless unto prayer” might burn into our hearts. I wish
the whole verse might burn into our hearts.
