Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thus with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
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Ambrosiaster
AD 400
Insofar as our conduct is right we are rightly prepared for the Holy Spirit to abide in us. Hence we are more ready to obtain what we request. This therefore is what it means to pray in the Spirit at all times. We are directing our prayer to God with a clean conscience and sincere faith. One who prays with a polluted mind prays only in the flesh, not in the spirit. .
Some might think that the phrase at all times means only the daytime. But, so that he could amplify the force of “at all times,” what does he say? “With all perseverance.” This calls us to a certain persistent disposition of the mind. We do not pray as if we were asleep. This is what some sound like who pray by reciting or reading familiar phrases or uttering them routinely from memory. .
This means that we should not say or utter particular words or recite them in our prayers as though they were premeditated or written down. We are to pray “in the spirit” and “at all times.” Let your deep affections enter into your praying. The inner spirit, that is, the inner man, is making his prayer with intense desire. He is praying all the time, so that even when he is not praying aloud he is still praying in the spirit. .
The saints themselves, with the bishops and apostles and elders, are called to pray on behalf of the faithful and the catechumens and all the other members of the body. It is typical of Paul to make mention of the whole people of God in prayer. He also calls upon the whole people of God to pray on behalf of their leaders, bishops and saints, and then he adds: “Pray for me too.” –.
When he says “through every prayer and petition,” I think he has this distinction in mind: It is a prayer when we speak the praises of God and recount his great works and when we give thanks and worship him. It is a petition when we pray to God either to pardon our sins or to offer his grace to us. .
See how clever this blessed author is. He has armed them with the utmost protection. So now what remains? Only to call on the king and urge him to extend his hand. .
As the word of God has power to do all things, so also has he who has the spiritual gift. For the word of God, says he, is living, and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12 Now mark the wisdom of this blessed Apostle. He has armed them with all security. What then is necessary after that? To call upon the King, that He may stretch forth His hand. With all prayer, and supplication, praying at all seasons in the Spirit; for it is possible to pray not in the Spirit, when one uses vain repetitions Matthew 6:7; and watching thereunto, he adds, that is, keeping sober; for such ought the armed warrior, he that stands at the King's side, to be; wakeful and temperate:— in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints; and on my behalf that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth. What do you say, blessed Paul? Have you, then, need of your disciples? And well does he say, in opening my mouth. He did not then study what he used to say, but according to what C...
Of prayer nothing at all has been prescribed, except clearly "to pray at every time and every place.".
who, praying in spirit.
, at which they entered the temple: why should we not understand that, with absolutely perfect indifference, we must pray
