Biblia

395. EPH 6:18. INCESSANT PRAYER

395. EPH 6:18. INCESSANT PRAYER

Eph_6:18. Incessant Prayer

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."’97Eph_6:18.

(Having noticed the nature of the Christian’s warfare, the position the spiritual soldier must maintain, and the armor and weapons he must adopt, we must now consider the spirit and state of mind in which the Christian warfare must be conducted. See Sketches on Christian warfare.)

The soldier of Christ, in warring a good warfare, must guard against extremes, as his danger is principally connected with these. He must not exult, so as to forget the necessity of fear and circumspection. He must not so fear, as to enervate and enfeeble his powers, and eclipse his hopes. He must not so rely upon his armor, or exertion, as to forget for a moment that all his strength and success are from God. He must not so trust in God, as to expect his blessing to descend upon a careless or indolent spirit. All these dangers will be avoided by obeying the directions of the text. "Praying always," &c. Here we have,

I. A Course specified.

"Praying." Prayer, of all exercises, is most frequently enjoined. It is that for which all the godly have been distinguished It is essential to genuine piety. Prayer is the movement of the renewed heart, the breathing of the heaven-born soul; and thus the evidence of spiritual existence. Prayer is the language of the children of God. The first word pronounced is "Abba," that is, Father. Prayer is the soul resting with confidence and delight at the feet of God. Prayer is the uplifted eye or the soul, looking upon the face of its reconciled Father. Prayer is the soul moving confidently, and knocking at the door of mercy. Prayer is the holding out the hand of need, and having it supplied out of the divine fulness. Prayer is the making known of our requests to God. In prayer,

1. Let the word of God be your rule.

Ask agreeably with his revealed will. The living oracles will ever show us what to ask.

2. Let the promise be your standing place.

Here is the rock’97unyielding rock. None of your steps can slide.

3. Let the merits of Christ be your plea. This will be infallibly effectual. All things ask in Christ’s name. Thus, you lay hold of God’s strength. "Whatsoever you ask the Father," &c. Now, this praying will greatly assist you in the warfare.

(1) You will obtain heavenly wisdom and skill: and this is necessary.

(2) It will materially benefit your armor, strengthen the girdle, increase your righteousness, polish the helmet, invigorate your faith; and keep the sword bright and sharp.

(3) It will empower you for the conflict. God will strengthen with all power, &c. "They that wait upon the Lord," &c. The Captain, when almost overwhelmed in the garden, prayed, and then he arose from the ground strengthened, and finished his work. Observe,

II. The Constancy of this Course is enjoined.

"Praying always." These passages are parallel, "Continuing in prayer." "Pray without ceasing," cannot mean that the body should ever be in a praying posture, or, that the soul should be ever in the exercise and act of prayer. Other duties must have their place and attention. "Praying always," includes the following:

1. The constant cultivation of the spirit of prayer.

Now, this may be obtained. The habit may be formed. So that the exercise of prayer will be familiar and easy.

2. A due regard to all the occasions of prayer.

Certain seasons seem to have an obvious claim upon prayer. Some of these we would call,

(1) Ordinary; as morning and evening. Before and after; and also in public worship; and all religious duties.

(2) Extraordinary occasions; as before a journey. On making any important engagement. In time of trouble. In seasons of temptation and danger. Notice,

III. The Manner of performing this Exercise is described.

"With all prayer." Now this, I conceive, includes,

1. With all kinds of prayer.

Mental, and expressed. Enlarged, and ejaculatory. Public, domestic, and secret The prayer of deprecation, as to all evil. Of supplication, as to all good. Of intercession, as to all persons.

2. With prayer for all things.

Whatever good we need, temporal, or spiritual. For body, or soul. For time or eternity. "In all things." "In all thy ways," &c.

Application

Notice,

1. The passage suggests three ideas we have not included. Prayer must be "in the Spirit." Spirit of prayer. Words or manner will not avail, however pleasing, without this. Includes conscious need, and intense desire. Or, "in the Spirit of God." By his aid; with the atmosphere he forms around us. "The Spirit also helpeth," &c. "Watching thereunto." Watching for seasons, and against hinderances, &c. And for a return of prayer, expecting answers, &c. "With all perseverance." Not failing, not ceasing, &c. Even to death. It must be,

"Our passport through the vale of death,

We eater heaven by prayer."

2. This course will render the Christian soldier invulnerably secure.

3. Exhort the prayerless to seek the salvation of their souls. Imitate the publican, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS