Bonus Content from November 22nd
Questions Answered
See below for responses to two questions texted in this week on Ephesians 6:10-24.
1) Within the third section referring to “pray constantly,” what is the definition of prayer that Paul is referring to? Is it the traditional idea of prayer or a more broad term directed to the Gentiles as a guideline of how they should live their daily lives in Christ? And how should we address that term in our lives?
The term “prayer” is not one with a specialized or technical meaning here; it carries its normal sense of communication with God in line with the way Jesus teaches his disciples to pray (Lk. 11). That said, there are two ditches Christians fall into with regards to a passage like this one.
We can fail to take seriously the call to “pray constantly” or “pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17) because it seems unrealistic. Pray when I brush my teeth? When looking for a parking spot? When eating dinner? When attending class? And so prayer becomes something we only do at regimented times set aside for prayer. This falls far short of the picture of constant prayer laid out in scripture.
On the flipside, some of us excuse a lack of prayerfulness in our lives by telling ourselves “well, I pray constantly.” As such, we pass off what is really just a general awareness of God as prayer as though it is sufficient, even though that in no way lines up with the practice of our Lord, who regularly got away on his own for concentrated times of prayer.
In summary, it seems best to devote portions of the day specifically to earnest prayer while also living each moment of the day in a constant (if not formal) conversation with God. Joel Beeke relates this anecdote that helpfully paints a picture of what this might look like in practice:
Some generations ago, several ministers gathered in the Scottish Highlands to discuss what it meant to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). After considerable discussion, one minister asked a maid girl if she knew what it meant. “Yes, sir,” she said. “As I arose this morning from bed, I prayed that the Sun of righteousness would arise with healing in His wings over me today. When I got dressed, I prayed that I might be clothed with Christ’s righteousness. As I dusted the furniture in this room before you arrived, I prayed that the Lord would wipe my heart clean through the blood of Jesus. When I made your refreshments ready, I prayed that Jesus Christ would be my food and drink. Sir, I pray my way through each day, for prayer is my breath, my life.”
2) Can you explain more of what you meant when you talked about conspiracy theories?
The sharing of conspiracy theories may not seem like a major problem for the church, but Satan is using this weapon to sow division and confusion. Find three important short, reads on conspiracy theories from The Gospel Coalition below.