Prayer (18): Putting on the full armor of God is to be accompanied by prayer. Paul specifies that this is not just any kind of prayer but one that is “in the Spirit,” that is, prayer that is mindful of God the Spirit who indwells us (Rom. 8:9-11).[1] Prayer is to be frequent, as occasions to pray abound in our lives.[2] Also, spiritual alertness is necessary for prayer. Our spiritual eyes must be wide open in order for us to pray as we ought.[3] We seek the Lord’s strength[4] for one another (“all the saints”) so that all would stand firm.[5]

Dependence (19-20): Paul humbly sees himself in need of their prayers also. He specifically asks that the church pray for him for utterance and boldness in proclaiming the gospel. Paul himself does not wish to succumb to the attacks of the evil one and shrink back from declaring the Word of God. He is in chains and yet he desires to boldly proclaim Christ in his imprisonment. And Christ will be exalted in his body whether through life or death, but only as the saints pray for him and God answers (Phil. 1:18-20). Unless we are fools who believe that we are independent, self-sufficient and adequate in and of ourselves, we, too, would humbly confess our need of God’s intervention and that we are upheld by the prayers of the saints. We need prayer!

[1] We are the people of the Holy Spirit (2:18, 22; 5:18). We are to pray in the Spirit. There is prayer that is absent God (Isa. 29:13), unaware of God’s holiness (Matt. 6:9), and unrepentant (Isa. 59:2-3). Paul does not encourage prayer of this kind. What profit is there in prayer without God? But there is prayer that communes with God in the imminent Person of the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; Phi 2:1). He is exhorting us toward this.

[2] The phrase “at all times” is literally “in every occasion.” Paul is telling us to pray as occasions arise. Life is full of stimuli for prayer: needs, stress, temptation, ministry, evangelism, joys, etc. We pray in all of these.

[3] The phrase “with this in view” is looking to the purpose of prayer aforementioned. We need to stay alert for the purpose of prayer (1 Pet. 4:7). When our spiritual vision goes blurred or blind, we cease praying.

[4] The imperative “pray” is a participle (“praying”) which continues the armor passage in 6:17. This is prayer for strength from the God (6:10), who is our strength (Isa. 40:28-29), who enables us to stand (Rom. 14:4).

[5] Prayer is a means by which our spiritual well-being is upheld (Luke 22:31-32; James 5:16; 1 John 5:16).