In Eph 6:18, what does it mean to "...pray...in the spirit" and to "...pray at all times"?

Continuing our series on prayer, we are now at Eph 6:16-20.

Eph 6:16-20

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. 

The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The text - specifically verse 18 - presents a couple of difficult questions:

1) What does it mean to "pray...in the spirit"?

2) What does "...at all times" mean?

Regarding praying in the spirit, both Dr. Rosscup and John Owen point us in good biblical direction:

Prayer all in the Spirit (“at all times in the Spirit”). Paul makes no provision for any prayer (any legitimate one) that is just of ourselves, not in the Spirit. So in the will of God all prayer is to be in the Spirit. This is to be in His will, power, guidance, conviction as to values, vision, and such things.

Rosscup, J. E. (2008). An Exposition on Prayer in the Bible: Igniting the Fuel to Flame Our Communication with God (2254). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

For a solid extended discussion, look in John Owen's Volume 4 of his works and look in "Part 3: A Discourse Of The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer" and then specifically, "Chapter 7:  The Nature of Prayer in General, with Respect Unto Forms of Prayer and Vocal Prayer".  

Regarding the fact that we are to pray at all times, Calvin puts us on solid ground:

But what is the meaning of always? Having already spoken of continued application, does he twice repeat the same thing? I think not. When everything flows on prosperously, — when we are easy and cheerful, we seldom feel any strong excitement to prayer, — or rather, we never flee to God, but when we are driven by some kind of distress. Paul therefore desires us to allow no opportunity to pass, on no occasion to neglect prayer; so that praying always is the same thing with praying both in prosperity and in adversity.

Calvin, J. (1998). Calvin's Commentaries: Ephesians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; Calvin's Commentaries. Albany, OR: Ages Software.

Prayer Attitude: Our prayers must conform to the Spirit's will which means they must be biblical.

Prayer Attitude: Whether we think we should pray or not, we must not let any opportunity to pray pass us by.

How do you prayer for those with opportunities to share the gospel? Learning how to pray from the Apostles prayers (Ephesians 6:19)

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is Ephesians 6:19:

and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

Prayer Focus: Petition that God would give words and boldness to those in opportunities to share the gospel

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Ephesians 3:20-21)

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is Ephesians 3:20-21:

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Praise that there is no limit to what God can do by His Spirit within us

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Ephesians 3:14-17) w/excerpts from Hendriksen and O'Brien's commentaries

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is Ephesians 3:14-17:

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love

Prayer Attitude: We should be reverent when we pray (Eph 3:14).
Prayer Focus:  Petition that God's Spirit would exert a greater and greater controlling influence on our will.

Hendriksen writes in his New Testament Commentary, "This “inner man” is not that which is rational in man as contrasted with man’s lower appetites. Paul’s terminology is not that of Plato or of the Stoics. On the contrary, the “inner man” is the opposite of the “outer” (or: outward) man. Cf. II Cor. 4:16. The former is hidden from the public gaze. The latter is open to the public. It is in the hearts of believers that the principle of a new life has been implanted by the Holy Spirit. See on 3:17. What the writer is praying for is therefore this, that within these hearts such a controlling influence may be exerted that they may be strengthened more and more with Spirit-imparted power."

O'Brien writes in The Pillar New Testament Commentary, "It is the focal point at the centre of a persons life where the Spirit does his strengthening and renewing work. Indeed, the inner self stands in need of empowering given our struggle against sin (Rom. 7:22) and the need for daily renewal (2Cor. 4:6). When the outer person of the believer is wasting away, the inner person is being renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16)."

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Ephesians 1:15-23)

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is Ephesians 1:15-23:

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. 

Prayer Focus:  Praise for the faith and acts of love we see in other Christians.
Prayer Focus:  Petition that we would receive a continually growing deeper understanding of the grandeur of the gospel and what it means for our lives.

Hendriksen writes in the New Testament Commentary, "Paul, then, asks that the addressed may receive a continually growing supply of wisdom and clear knowledge. Combine the two, and note that he is asking that the Ephesians be given deeper penetration into the meaning of the gospel and a clearer insight into the will of God for their lives, enabling them at all times to use the best means for the attainment of the highest goal, namely, the glory of God Triune."

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Ephesians 1:3) w/thoughts from Calvin

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is Ephesians 1:3:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

Prayer Focus: Praise that God has blessed us through Christ with every spiritual blessing.

Calvin writes in his commentary on Ephesians, "The word bless is here used in more than one sense, as referring to God, and as referring to men. I find in Scripture four different significations of this word. 1. We are said to bless God when we offer praise to him for his goodness. 2. God is said to bless us, when he crowns our undertakings with success, and, in the exercise of his goodness, bestows upon us happiness and prosperity; and the reason is, that our enjoyments depend entirely upon his pleasure. Our attention is here called to the singular efficacy which dwells in the very word of God, and which Paul expresses in beautiful language. 3. Men bless each other by prayer. 4. The priest’s blessing is not simply a prayer, but is likewise a testimony and pledge of the Divine blessing; for the priests received a commission to bless in the name of the Lord. Paul therefore blesses God, because he hath blessed us, that is, hath enriched us with all blessing and grace."