EPHESIANS 6:18-19 PRAYING ALWAYS

 

EPHESIANS 6:18-19 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Cross Reference: Luke 18:1-8 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Praying Always; Without prayer, all the armor in the world would be of no use. Praying always: General prayers and specific petitions in the Spirit are to be made for all believers at all occasions. Perseverance and patience in prayer are essential. NSB*

Supplication; "to pray," is always used of "prayer" to God, and is the most frequent word in this respect, especially in the Synoptists and Acts. The Greek word used here is προσεύχομαι proseuchomai. Vine's (def A-2), Strong's G4336.

Cross Reference: Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Watchful; "to be sleepless" (from agreuo, "to chase," and hupnos, "sleep"), is used metaphorically, "to be watchful," in Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36; Ephesians 6:18; Hebrews 13:17. The word expresses not mere wakefulness, but the "watchfulness" of those who are intent upon a thing. The Greek word is ἀγρυπνέω agrupneo. Vine's (def B-4), Strong's G69.

Cross Reference: Philippians 1:4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

Perseverance; "to be steadfast," a strengthened form of kartereo (pros, "towards," intensive, karteros, "strong"), denotes to continue steadfastly in a thing and give unremitting care to it, e.g., Romans 13:6, of rulers in the discharge of their functions. The Greek word for perseverance is προσκαρτέρησις proskarteresis, but Vine's lists the definition under "ATTEND" (def A-2). Strong's G4343. 

Moving to Verse 19.

Paul was not ashamed to ask other believers to pray that he would have the courage to proclaim the gospel. Even as a prisoner, Paul wanted to be a faithful witness for the Lord. NSB*

Utterance; a word," is translated "utterance" in 1 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 8:7; Ephesians 6:19. The Greek word is λόγοςlogos. Vine's (def 1), Strong's G3056. Strong's denotes - something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ).

Cross Reference: Colossians 4:3-4 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Boldly; "the absence of fear in speaking boldly; hence, confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, without any connection necessarily with speech;" the RV has "boldness". The Greek word is παῤῥησία parrhesia. Vine's (def B-1b), Strong's G3954. 

Mystery Of The Gospel; Notes: Vine's note b* under Mystery - Christ, who is God Himself revealed under the conditions of human life, Col 2:2, 4:3, and submitting even to death, 1 Cor 2:1,7, but raised from among the dead, 1 Tim 3:16. That the will of God to coordinate the universe in Him, and subject it to Him, will** in due time be accomplished, as declared in the gospel. 

*Nelson Study Bible

**Vine's uses the word "might" having the idea of "and it will", I just changed the word to "will". We know the Word of God is true, but some may interpret this as "maybe it will, maybe it won't". 

Takeaway: I see some people online and in new Christian circles who sometimes claim that prayer that results in things not going their way is a reason to reject God. There is a huge difference between serving a living God and His will and hoping that God is actually more of a genie in a bottle waiting to grant our wishes. Prayer is a huge subject, but praying does not always result in what "we" want, but there is always an answer and always a result. 

God is extremely gracious but He is the God of the universe, the Alpha and the Omega, not a spiritual wishing well. His will for our lives is the correct one.