At the end of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, right after the well-known section about putting on the armor of God, Paul says this:
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”—Ephesians 6:18-20
In these closings words we are reminded of the importance and even necessity of praying for each other. God encourages us to bring our needs to him, both physical and spiritual, especially the spiritual. It is often the case that the physical affects the spiritual. Our physical and mental state impact us in our spiritual life. So while our spiritual well-being is far more important than our physical well-being, prayers are needed, and encouraged by God, for both. One of the most important things we can do for each other is pray.
Think about your fellow church members, your brothers and sisters in Christ. What do you know about them? What is going on in their lives? When we get interested in each other that informs us in our prayers—helps us to know how to pray for one another. In our church we have people struggling with health issues, with stress at work, with family problems, with worries of all kinds. Anxiety, for example, is something that is very real that people are also very good at hiding. We each have worries, fears, and also loved ones about whom we worry or for whom we fear. These are common problems.
Thankfully we have more in common than just struggles and anxieties. We have Christ. The same God who has promised good to you and not evil all the days of your life, has promised the same to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you in need of prayer? Let us know. But also be reminded by your own struggles and worries that your family in Christ needs prayer, too. Want prayer? You, yourself be a pray-er.
In our passage above, Paul uses the word “supplication.” Supplication is a word specifically indicating prayers for others. In my paraphrase of these three verses Paul is saying, “Don’t stop praying. I know you pray, but I want to encourage you to keep on praying, especially for each other. Oh, and pray for me, too, that I may preach the gospel with boldness.” This is kingdom praying.
When we pray, we’re simply asking God to keep his promises. And when we pray for each other we’re specifically asking God to keep his promises in each other’s lives. God delights in our trust and in demonstrating his faithfulness. And because we never really know what is going on in each other’s hearts and lives, let’s make it a habit to pray for each other regularly. Take out the members and friends list and say a prayer for everyone. Especially do so if you need prayer yourself.
And pray for me, too, that I may preach the gospel clearly and boldly, as I ought to speak.