The Word of the Day (Friday, October 6)

 Watchfulness in Prayer

The word of the day is “watchful.”  St. Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians with insights on prayer in today’s reading of Ephesians 6:18-24.  In the verses before our reading, Paul described the weapons that believers should use against the forces of wickedness (vs. 12).  Then fully armed, believers must stand guard.  Watchfulness means they must pray at all times ‘with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (vs. 18).  They must be “watchful” as the Lord admonished Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest (Matt.  26:41). 

The Greek word for “watchful” refers to being awake and alert, not merely to ward off sleep but to achieve a purpose (Strong’s #69, 4).  Thus, we must stand in prayer like the guardians of a king.  With perseverance, we must “pray in the Spirit.”  When we pray, we must not be slothful or preoccupied with the affairs of this world.  Nor should we be fearful or cowardly.  But we should be diligent, single-minded, bold, and courageous.  And we should persist through all temptations within and turmoil without. 

Watchful In the Evil Day

Without any threat, we would not have to stand so unmoved and unshaken in prayer.  But Paul writes that we must put on the “whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand” (vs. 13).  What is the evil day?  In the previous chapter, Paul writes, “See that you walk circumspectly… redeeming the time because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15).  The “evil day” is whenever the devil works actively to effect harm (Strong’s #4190, p. 207).  In prayer, believers must be ever on guard to “withstand,” that is, “to set themselves against,” the attacks of the devil, for they will surely come (Strong’s #2480, 122).

Always Ready to Make Petitions to God        

When they take the posture of readiness in this way, then believers are prepared to make their supplications to God (vs. 18).  The Greek words for petitions refer to two types:  the general and the particular (Strong’s #1162, 63).  Paul here urges the Ephesians to make specific requests to God.  He states in Philippians, “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests to be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).  “Supplication” means specific appeals and requests for what is needed or required (Strong’s #155, 9).  Thus, Paul asks his flock to pray that he would speak the “mystery of the Gospel” boldly at his trial (vs. 19).  But watchfulness is the attitude that guards the door when believers bring their needs and concerns to God.  Without watchfulness, the Ephesians’ petitions would be mixed with impure motives.  They would be polluted with selfish appeals that are not worthy of being delivered to the Throne of Almighty God.

For Reflection

Today we learn that the devil is near us when we pray.  Prayer stirs up Satan, for there is nothing more hateful to him than that we should ask for and receive the blessings of God.  Therefore, as we pray, we must beware of the Evil One’s schemes.  To interrupt and spoil our prayers, the devil has the “darts” of distractions, wayward thoughts, disturbing remembrances, and the moods of boredom, restlessness, and coldness of the heart.  Accordingly, the words of Paul about “watchfulness” are vital to our prayer life.  Let us resolve to “put on the armor of God” (OSB Ephesians 6:11) and to be alert, watchful, and steadfast in prayer.  As we do so, we will turn away from evil and turn to the God of grace, who is ever ready to hear the prayers of all who call upon Him whole heart.