SUIT UP! Prayer & Fellowship

And 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)

Paul concludes this particular section of admonition to the Ephesian believers by telling them to pray. Pray all the time, in the Spirit, and for others. He even asks in verse 19 for them to pray for him so that he may be strong and courageous and know what to say and how to say what he is called to.

Prayer is a critical part of our spiritual defense. By prayer, we are able to talk with the Father, He is able to talk with us, we are strengthened, we are able to work through the matters concerning our lives, we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and transparent with God (and others!) through prayer, we are able to see what is in our own hearts.  Our prayers are part of fortifying ourselves for the battle we are engaged in.

Also [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up). (Luke 8:1 AMP)

Further, we looked at two scriptures regarding fellowship at the beginning of the week:

Ecclesiastes 4:12 - Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

In fellowship with one another, we can be strong for one another and we can help each other to grow in our walk with God. And since the concept of fellowship is alluded to in this passage, I believe it is worth a quick moment of focus.

We see the perfect example of fellowship with the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Then we see Jesus on earth with 12 close relationships but even closer to Peter, John, and James – His “roll dogs” if you will allow me to use a bit of slang. Beyond that we see Jesus sending the disciples out with one another; not alone. Once Jesus had returned to heaven, we see the Holy Spirit given to every believer, to live in daily fellowship. And finally, we see the ministers of the gospel living in and teaching believers to be in fellowship with one another.

So I encourage you today to pray, be in fellowship with other strong believers, and to SUIT UP!