Ephesians 6:18–20
A light gust lifts the corner of the covering on your shoulder. It is not the first time today, and likely not the last. Besides the periodic flap, not much happens — only the long wait. The stretched time reminds you of the battles behind you: the enemy’s lines staring at you, the clash against the armor and the sword. The armor is His armor, and it does not weigh you down. It is the two extremes that do: the long, slow-moving wait, and then the heavy, violent, fierce battle. The weight of the attacks battering down on the armor. The enduring stance, holding the shield ready. Awaiting the blows and facing the blows tire you in different ways. The drills are far behind you now. So what carries you?
Paul opens this passage with the answer: be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Ephesians 6:10). The verb is passive in form, closer to “be strengthened.” The strength is received, not built. Now notice how the passage ends. Read verses 14–18 as one sentence: stand… praying. Prayer is not a seventh piece of armor. It is an action to be taken, the air the armor is worn in. When things are quiet, pray for the times when they will not be. Pray for when the hammers of the enemy smash down on you, when the arrows darken your sight, when you feel the weight of the assault. So while you stand firm, pray. Keep alert, as Paul says — the language of a sentry who stays awake at his post. Do not let your mouth fall silent while you stand on duty. Stand and pray.
Jesus Christ withdrew on a regular basis (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). Early in the morning, while the night still covered the land. In Luke 6:12 we see that He spent the whole night praying before He chose His disciples. He spent time in prayer to be prepared for a big decision. He put aside time for His Father, fellowshipping and seeking His face and counsel. You can see one of His loving prayers recorded in John 17. He did not do this out of duty — He wanted to spend time with His Father.
Prayer is not a soldier talking into the air. It is a two-way relationship. We are told to pray at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18) and without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Rather than babbling aimlessly down a one-way funnel, we engage in a relationship, and that includes the times when we do not say a word. “Without ceasing” is not an endless articulation of words; it calls for a life fully reliant on the strength of Another — the strength of God. We do not pray alone, either: the Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). Paul prays that believers would be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner being (Ephesians 3:16), and prayer is where that strength is received. It gives you stamina in the waiting and strength in the battle.
An old historian once wrote that when the Romans drilled for war, it was like a bloodless battle. Your waiting time can be your drill. Praying while you wait is a good time to check your equipment. Fasten your belt: pray that truth will prevail and that you will not be ensnared by deception and manipulation. Adjust your breastplate to fit well: pray for righteousness — His righteousness — to protect your heart. Straighten your helmet, because a skewed helmet makes it hard to see: pray that your mind stays clear, settled in the salvation that is already yours. Check that your shoes grip well and kick out the stones: pray that the peace of the gospel keeps your footing firm when the line is pushed. Lift your shield and test your grip: pray that your faith holds under the volleys of enemy arrows. Sharpen your sword: pray that the Holy Spirit will be the one wielding it, with accuracy and strength, at the right moment. Let our waiting times be filled with prayer in such a way that, when the troubles come, we act as true followers of Christ.
The silence does not wait with you alone. It gives you a chance to pray for your own preparedness, and now also to pray for each other. We are called to work together as lines of soldiers, helping one another to be ready for battle. Check each other’s gear before the operation — just as fruit gets inspected (Matthew 7:16), a fellow soldier can see what you cannot see on your own back, and he can bring it to God for you and tell you in love. Beyond that, this battle is ongoing. It has been raging for two thousand years, and sometimes your part of the line gets to rest while another part is hard pressed. That is why Paul says to pray for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18). Jesus Himself prayed for those who would believe through the word of His first disciples (John 17:20) — He prayed for the line that would stand across the centuries, including us.
Then Paul adds a personal request. After asking the Ephesians to pray for all the saints, he names himself: pray also for me, that words may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19–20). He is an ambassador in chains, guarded by Roman soldiers, the very men whose gear he has been describing. He does not ask to be freed. He asks for boldness, and he asks that words be given to him — received, not built. Their prayer is part of how the gospel gets spoken. This is the same church through which God’s wisdom is made known, even to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10). We are not called to spectate. It is by His power alone, yet we are the movement our prayers call for. It is not our effort, but His inclusion of us into His glory.
While the silence wraps around you and your companions, you hear the bustle of a hard-pressed front. You need to hold your ground and wait. Then a sudden surge of prayer floods your mouth for the other front. You are not alone, and prayer is the acknowledgement of this. You seek the Lord in relationship — not just for assistance, but thanking Him for who He is, and asking for help, formation, and preparation. You can call out to the Lord. He is the great Commander. He knows every part of this battle, every front, and every panting heart.
The corner of the covering lifts in the wind once more. The waiting and the battles still carry weight. But you are standing, and you are praying, and the one beside you is too.
So stand firm, gripping your reliance on Him, and pray.
Lord, You are our strength. You are the strength in our bones and muscles. You are the One who guides our grip and fastens our gear. You are the strength behind our standing against volleys of attacks. You are the One who wields Your Word with piercing accuracy. You are the One who directs the battle and guides Your hosts. You are the Commander, and You alone will receive all the honour and the glory.
Praise the name of the Lord of lords. Amen.