Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.

I Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

MEMORY VERSE: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that he may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. —James 5:16

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The apostles admonished the church to pray continuously—for the gospel ministers and the spread of the gospel message, for all who were in the bonds of affliction, for those in authority, and for the healing and spiritual prosperity of one another.

WORD DEFINITIONS

Ephesians 6:18 “Prayer”: exchange of wishes; especially addressed to God. “Literally, to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His wishes as He imparts faith (“divine persuasion”) (HELPS Word Studies). Prayer is “the offering of the emotions and desires of the soul to God, in the name and through the mediation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the communion of the heart with God through the aid of the Holy Spirit, and is to the Christian the very life of the soul” (ATS Bible Dictionary). It is “converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary). “Supplication”: heart-felt petition arising out of a deep sense of urgent, personal need, want, or lack (HELPS Word Studies).

Ephesians 6:19 “Utterance”: an expression of a thought; a saying; a word as the embodiment of an idea; reasoning expressed by words (HELPS Word Studies). A computation, especially the Divine expression. “Mystery”: a secret, yet not something unknowable; “rather, it is what can only be known because God reveals it” (HELPS Word Studies).

Philippians 1:12 “Furtherance”: from the Greek word pro which means “in front of” and kóptō, “cut, chop down”; properly, advance (progress)—literally, “advancement by chopping down whatever impedes progress” (HELPS Word Studies).

Philippians 4:6 “Careful for nothing”: be over-anxious about nothing. “Never worry about anything” (International Standard Version).

Colossians 4:2 “Continue in prayer”: devote yourself; persist; to continue with intense effort; show steadfast strength.

I Timothy 2:1 “Intercession”: intervention which hits the mark; “Biblical intercession centers in waiting upon the Lord to learn what hits the mark (is His will) – i.e. guiding the believer to act as His agent” (HELPS Word Studies).

James 5:16 “Effectual”: engaged; at work; energized. “Availeth”: to be able; to prevail.

LESSON BACKGROUND

The daily, close communion Adam and Eve had in the garden with their Creator Father was sadly interrupted by their sin. Later, we notice that worship of God involved the offering of sacrifices; then, after Cain’s murder of Abel, in the record of his life from that time, there seemed to be no communion with God until Adam’s later son, Seth, had a son, Enos. At that point, the scripture brings out that men began “to call upon the name of the Lord.” Later patriarchs who chose to believe and call on God continued to offer sacrifices along with their worship: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job. The simple worship of the times usually involved thanksgiving for God’s blessings and acknowledgement of His mercy, invocation for God’s blessings on their everyday lives, self-dedication, and prayers for future blessings.

With the giving of the law, more ritual came into the experience of prayer: there were set times of prayer, and priests assumed the role of giving the sacrifices to God. Yet seekers who believed still voluntarily offered themselves to God in worship and consecration, as David, Jabez, Solomon, Nehemiah, and Daniel. These pious worshippers usually had three set times of prayer every day. The prophets called upon God in Israel’s troubled times, and God answered with messages of judgment or comfort and deliverance.

As far as set forms or positions of the body for praying, several kinds of acceptable prayers were recorded: when persons were standing, kneeling, lying prostrate on the ground, bowing, or spreading out their hands to God. Jesus introduced a pattern or model of acceptable prayer to the Heavenly Father, rather than a set form of prayer.

The advent of the Holy Spirit brought a new dimension to the soul crying out to God. The Spirit takes a believer’s weak effort and teaches him how to align his spirit with the will of God. The work of the gospel, as Paul stated many times, depended upon prayer, because it was the work of the Holy Spirit in the earth. As the Spirit moved, so men and women prayed and moved. As the Spirit gave utterance, so men and women spoke. The scriptures in today’s lesson teach the different admonitions the apostles gave the church concerning prayer. We are to pray in the Spirit. We are to pray for the gospel minister that the Word of God may be preached boldly and in all places. We are to pray for those suffering affliction or the bondage of prison. We are to pray for kings and all who are in authority—presidents, governors, judges, lawmakers, law enforcement officers, councilmen, board members, mayors. We are to pray for each other that we may be healed both physically and spiritually. We are to stand guard against the enemy with fervent prayer. We are to pray lest we enter—be overcome by— temptation. We are to pray gratefully and not to worry anxiously. We are to pray in faith, nothing wavering.

It is the prayer of faith—the “vowful” prayer; the prayer of self-dedication prompted by the persuasion of the Holy Spirit—that accomplishes the work of God in our lives and in the world. As we look more closely at that attribute, we recognize it in those ancient patriarchs who prayed their simple prayers and had God move so wondrously in their lives.

—Angela Gellenbeck

DISCUSSION:

1. What is to closely accompany putting on the full suit of God’s armor?
2. Where was Paul when he asked for prayer?
3. What specific prayer request for the “gospel” did he make?
4. What did Paul believe would turn his sufferings into salvation?
5. Name four kinds of prayer mentioned in I Timothy 2.

   LIFE APPLICATION

As Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress learned at House Beautiful, the armory provided pilgrims with not only the helmet, breastplate, sword, shield, and shoes, but with “all-prayer” as well. It is through prayer that we “put on” the various pieces of protective equipment provided by the Lord Jesus. Indeed, we “put on” Christ Himself: this is only by earnestly seeking Him in prayer. It is through prayer that we learn to know God’s personal commands for us and the necessary things for which to ask. Through prayer we begin to understand His great work and plan for the spread of the kingdom.

There is no greater witness to this truth than observing how untiringly the enemy works to keep us from earnest prayer. Why? Because he knows how effective and powerful it is. We may try to witness without prayer. It will not prosper. We may even preach without preparing with fervent prayer. It will be powerless. Yet quiet, unassuming saints of God who rarely speak a public word move spiritual mountains while on their knees. Would we fight the “good fight” of faith? Would we fight “not beating the air”? Then let us fight with dedicated, intense, intercession which hits the mark and prevails over the adversary.

—Angela Gellenbeck

REFLECTIONS

One stormy night on April 12, 2020, I was preparing to go to sleep. My heart started to feel very heavy and I couldn’t breathe. I have asthma, but this was different. I was going to call for my grandma, but then I thought of something she had said about calling on God for myself.

This was a very scary time for me. I was alone with no one to help me, and I couldn’t get to the door. Again I thought of what my grandma had said. I began to call on God for help. I said, “Please help me!” I really felt like I was dying. I asked God to help me and my mom, who was also so sick. I told him I would do whatever it takes for Him to heal us. I would gladly give Him my life if He would only heal my mom and me, please.

Then I went to bed. I felt my body lifted up. It felt like a cool breeze went over my body and back down inside of me. I then was able to breathe again! I said, “Thank you, Lord, for healing me and my mom,” and I started sharing this testimony with my grandma and everyone I could the next day.

I have been living my life for the Lord. I’m still growing in the Lord and need your prayers. My heart’s desire is to go to heaven; please keep me in your prayers.