When Should We Pray?    

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul wrote, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”  When should we pray?  Paul said that Christians ought to pray “at all times.”  In other words, we should pray ALWAYS, in EVERY SEASON, and on EVERY OCCASION.

When should we pray?  Now!  And always!  Without ceasing!  Prayer is that important.  We ought to be doing it all the time because we certainly need it all the time to be strong and maintain our great relationship with the Lord.

Earlier in Ephesians 6:10ff, Paul wrote about all kinds of things we need in order to be strong: the BELT of truth, the BREASTPLATE of righteousness, the BOOTS of the gospel of peace, the SHIELD of faith, the HELMET of salvation, and the SWORD of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Then notice in v18 he saves PRAYER for LAST.  Is it because prayer is to be our last resort?  After we’ve tried everything else and nothing else works?  Certainly not!  I think Paul saves it for last in this list because it is the MOST IMPORTANT WEAPON of all!  And it is the weapon that is to be used in combination with all the rest.

We should be praying WHEN we’re girding our loins (wrapping ourselves) with truth, WHEN we put on the breastplate of righteousness, WHEN we are shodding  our feet with the gospel of peace, WHEN we are holding up the shield of faith, and WHEN we are putting on the helmet of salvation.

Pray at all times.  Pray when you’re sad, and pray when you’re happy.  Pray when you’re hurting, and pray when you’re feeling better.  Pray when you’re anxious, and pray when you’re at peace.


You’re driving your car on a rain slick road, and suddenly you lose control and are headed toward an oncoming car at 50 mph!  What do you do?  YOU PRAY!  But what do you do when the weather is nice and the drive is calm and peaceful?  YOU PRAY.

The doctor comes into your exam room with the test results and a worried frown on his face. What do you do?  You pray!  But what do you do when you’re well and healthy and sitting at your desk at work or at school or raking leaves or resting in your recliner?  YOU PRAY.

When do you pray?  Pray now, and always, and on all occasions.  Don’t leave prayer out of anything.

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