Ephesians 6:18 - Homilies By T. Croskery

The duty of prayer.

We are not to regard prayer as a seventh weapon, but rather as exhibiting the spirit in which the Divine armor is to be assumed and the warfare carried on. It is easy to see the intimate relation existing, between prayer and each individual part of the Christian's armor.

1. It is to be prayer of all kinds—public and private, oral and mental, formal and ejaculatory.

2. It is to be spiritual prayer: "In the Spirit;" for" He makes intercession for the saints with groanings which cannot be uttered" ( Romans 8:26 ). We must "pray in the Holy Ghost" (Jud Ephesians 1:20 ).

3. It is to be persevering prayer: "At all times; at every suitable season. We must cultivate an habitual frame of prayer.

4. It is to be watchful prayer: "Watching thereunto." We must watch against watchlessness, watch for occasions of prayer, watch for answers to prayer.

5. It is to be intercessory prayer: "For all saints." It is most comprehensive in its character. It is based on the communion of saints. We have every heavenly motive for continuing in prayer. We have no ground to expect blessing without it ( Ezekiel 36:37 ). It is a means of getting all blessings, temporal, and spiritual ( Matthew 7:7 ; Matthew 21:22 ; James 1:5 ). It is in itself the most heavenly duty we can perform ( Philippians 3:20 ).—T.C.