Vital Signs: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

A Lifestyle of Prayer

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." - Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Do you notice a theme in the apostle Paul’s teaching on prayer? “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18). If repetition teaches us anything, it’s that God invites us into a lifestyle of prayer—to become prayer warriors who fight evil by falling to our knees.

"On all occasions"—There is no occasion that isn’t the right occasion to pray. If you wake up after a good night’s sleep, thank God for it in prayer. If you toss and turn and feel drained before the day has begun, ask God for help in prayer. Whether on the hills of joy or in the valleys of despair, wherever you are right now is the right place to pray.

"With all kinds of prayers"—Pray for physical needs, like relief from a headache, job stress, or a strained relationship with a sibling. And pray for spiritual blessings, like increasing patience or having the courage to share your faith in Jesus. Our Lord taught us to pray for daily bread, but even more so for the spiritual blessings of God’s name, kingdom, and will.

"For all the Lord’s people"—Just as Jesus taught us to pray in the plural ("Our Father,” not “My Father”), we pray for the church, for Christian friends, for faithful pastors, and for persecuted believers. Paul needed the Ephesians’ prayers, and other Christians need yours.

I pray that prayer becomes your new lifestyle this week.