March 10, 2021
Pray in the Spirit at all times in ever prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. – Ephesians 6:18
Most of the time we think of perseverance as something placed on the self, that we must persevere in some trial, and with God’s help, we will succeed. However, the early church focused much more on the community of faith as a whole rather than on the individual’s faith. So many times, we read the ancient letters and perceive a message to us as individuals, but in reality it is the whole community, working together, that is to do what it takes to persevere in the faith. After all, we are all one in Christ Jesus.
In this verse from the apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus, much is said to lead the community to be at peace with one another, that they would work together, encouraging one another, and reflect in community the kingdom of God. Paul calls for them to put on the whole armor of God. However, if we study the way the armor worked in the ancient world, it did some in protecting the warrior, but the roman design for armaments, was that the entire regiment would work as a whole, that the armor, and shield of one warrior would work alongside the other, that the entire regiment would succeed.
Paul uses this analogy, for the church, and especially for the church’s prayers. They are to pray in the Spirit, for there is One Spirit and One Lord, thus when the community if focused on the work of the Holy Spirit among them, there is unity. Also, they are to preserve in their prayers for the saints – they are to pray for their fellow believers, those who are in community with them, and those who are a part of the kingdom who are far off. Doing this, I believe, Paul is teaching the church the power of being connected, even if only in prayer, for then we are paying attention to what God is doing among creation, and we can focus on our part for the greater whole.
May we, the church, today, pray in the Spirit, remember the saints, and preserve in our prayer for the whole church as we see the kingdom expand for the glory of God’s name.
Grace & Peace,
Sam