NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Ephesians 4-6
SCRIPTURE READING
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV); 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 saints.
When we accept Christ, our Spirit is awakened and made alive; we are born again! Our
spirits are connected to the Spirit of God and as we listen and obey, we lose the shackles
of our sinful nature. We are encouraged to keep our spirit linked up with His; to pray in the
Spirit at all times. This can include all sorts of prayer, from concentrated times with the Lord
on your knees, to prayers breathed out in the grocery store line up, to times of praying in
your spiritual language in the car.
We can use the connection we have to the Spirit of God to intercede in prayer for others.
Just as God will help us to pray in line with His will for ourselves, we can listen for ways to
pray in line with His will for others. This is a much more effective way to deal with directive
words you think God may be giving you about others. It’s been made clear that running to tell
others what you sense they ought to be doing is a no-no. But running to the Lord in prayer is
an affirmative!
Are you frustrated with someone because of the decisions they are making? Take those
frustrations to the Lord and intercede for your friend. Do you just wish someone from work
would change their tone or their attitude? Shower love on them and pray for them when they
come to mind. When we sense God revealing something to us about another person, our
default response should be a leap into prayer!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What are some of the frustrations you have with others? What are some things you think
God has revealed to you about others?
2. Ask God to give you a humble perspective and a heart of love towards these people, so
that you can pray for them in line with God’s heart. Confess any bitterness or unforgiveness
that comes up.
3. Take these things to prayer. As you did yesterday, ask the Lord to direct your prayers, to
make them specific and effective. Pray in His direction.
