Listen up, little ones
Listen for the word pray.
Reading
Ephesians 6:18–20—Pray at All Times in the Spirit.
Optional Reading
Jude 20-25
Keys for kids
- Success in the spiritual battle requires prayer.
- We are to pray all the time.
- The Holy Spirit helps us pray.
Questions
- Why pray?
- What are to be the “all” and “every” emphases in our prayers?
- How do we pray in the Spirit?
Notes
(See below for all authors.)
The success of “the gospel of peace” and of the spiritual battle requires prayer, but in truth it is needed on all occasions. The Greek word for “all” or “every” also appears four times in verse 18. We should not only pray on all occasions, but with all kinds of prayers and requests, and there should be prayer with “all” perseverance for all the saints. …
This powerful call to prayer is not surprising at this point in the letter. Paul has energized his writing of Ephesians with strong elements of prayer. …
The question may be asked whether to pray in the Spirit is a particular kind of prayer, or ordinary prayer (if there is such a thing) done more intensely. Also, considering the other references to the Spirit in Ephesians, does this relate to the filling of the Spirit in 5:18? Paul is so conscious of the Holy Spirit that it is hard to conceive of him not associating prayer with the Spirit. Just as we could not obey the command to be filled with the Spirit without the active work of the Spirit, so we could not have a full prayer life without reliance on the Spirit. Paul has already written in Romans 8:26–27 that when we do not know what to pray for, it is the Spirit who makes the needed intercession.
Swedish Method questions
Praise
Psalm 143a, 111d
Prayer
- Give thanks that God hears your prayers
- Pray for the reading and preaching of God’s word tomorrow.
- Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.