[Linux4christians] Ephesians‭ 6‬:18 (Thursday)

[Pastor David]

*Ephesians‭ 6‬:18 (Thursday)*

*Commentary*

Paul instructs his readers to pray‭ "‬...‭ ‬in the 
Spirit‭"‬,‭ ‬to‭ "‬...‭ ‬be alert‭"‬,‭ ‬and to do so‭ "‬...‭ 
‬with all‭ ‬perseverance
and requests for all the saints.‭"

His purpose to remind believers that their prayers are 
facilitated by the indwelling Holy‭ ‬Spirit,‭ ‬are 
motivated 	by Him,‭ ‬and are blessed.‭  ‬Our prayers are to 
be righteous,‭ ‬we are to‭ ‬be alert to deception and aware 
of needs,‭ ‬and as he noted elsewhere to‭ "‬...‭ ‬pray 
without‭ ‬ceasing‭" (‬1Thess. 5:17‭) ‬for other the requests 
of other saints.

[Note:  Nothing in the text requires the reader to interpret 
"in the Spirit" to endorse "speaking in tongues" or any of 
the other so-called "Charismatic gifts", nor does the text 
preclude such an understanding.]

These instructions are tied to the preceding text as prayer 
is part of the "full armor", it is necessary to wisely use 
it, and is what keeps us grounded in Christ.  They are also 
designed to keep us constantly close to God in prayer.

*Interaction*

*Consider* that if we exercise the discipline to remember 
to‭ "‬put on the full armor‭" ‬every morning we‭ also 
acknowledge the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

*Discuss* how w‭hen we pray the first thing in the morning 
we get our conversation, "pray without ceasing" started with 
God.

*Reflect* upon the truth that w‭hen we activate the armor we 
become alert as a good spiritual soldier should be.

*Share* an example when you ‭persevered in prayer, 
especially for others, and in so doing you were kept humble 
and focused on ‬what was most important to God.

*Truth in Action*

‭Today I am choosing to remember to put on the full armor of 
God, to pray ‬without ceasing all day,‭ ‬to be alert to the 
deception and trickery of the Enemy,‭ ‬and to pray for 
others so that I remain in a mindset of humble service.  I 
will keep a simple journal of my day and share it with a 
friend - noting the positive difference that this spiritual 
discipline made in my day.

*Be Specific*  _________________________________________


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Friday's text will be: Ephesians‭ 6‬:19-20
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Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day!  Pastor David
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