NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Acts 17-19
SCRIPTURE READING
Eph 6:18-20 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that
end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for
me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of
the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought
to speak.
There is a strong and powerful relationship between putting on the armor of God and
praying. These two things belong together; in fact, one grows out of the other. What is
prayer? Prayer is conversation with God. In our life as Christians, prayer ought to be
like the very air we breathe. E.M. Bounds teaches that prayer is foundational in our walk
with God, “no learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence,
no study, no gifts will supply its lack.” Our life is to be a perpetual communing with God.
Prayer is not a mere formality to say before a meal or to open a meeting. It’s the way that
we acknowledge our need and dependence on God. Singh states that “the essence of
prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God. The
true spirit of prayer does not consist of asking for blessings, but in receiving Him who is
the giver of all blessings, and in living a life of fellowship with Him”. As we conclude our
study on the Book of Ephesians, let’s remember that the Christian life is not about making
yourself happy and comfortable. It’s a battle with the unseen forces of wickedness in the
heavenly places. To fight for God against this evil enemy, we must be people of prayer! We
will only advance safely if we remain on our knees!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Lord what He wants to talk to you about today. What does He want to say to
you? In your journal, jot down what He tells you.
2. Ask the Lord to grow your prayer life, ask Him to speak to you, pray that you will hear
His voice regularly and clearly and that you will learn to fellowship with Him through prayer.
Pray that you will open your heart to Him and let Him speak into your hurts and wounds.
3. Pray that you will grow in devotional prayer, in giving God adoration and praise.
4. Pray that Southland will be a people of prayer.
