Ephesians 6:18

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, &c.] The last weapon is prayer, and takes in all sorts of prayer, mental and vocal, public and private; and every branch of it, as deprecation of evils, petitions for good things, and thanksgiving for mercies: and which should be used always: this stands opposed to such who pray not at all, or who have prayed, but have left it off; or who pray only in distress, and it suggests, that a man should pray as often as he has an opportunity; and particularly, that he should make use of it in times of darkness, desertion, and temptation: and this, when performed aright, is performed “in the Spirit”; with the heart, soul, and spirit…”

“always--Greek, "in every season"; implying opportunity and exigency (Col 4:2). Paul uses the very words of Jesus in Luk 21:36 (a Gospel which he quotes elsewhere, in undesigned consonance with the fact of Luke being his associate in travel, Co1 11:23, &c.; Ti1 5:18). Compare Luk 18:1; Rom 12:12; Th1 5:17. with all--that is, every kind of. prayer--a sacred term for prayer in general. supplication--a common term for a special kind of prayer [HARLESS], an imploring request. "Prayer" for obtaining blessings, "supplication" for averting evils which we fear [GROTIUS]. in the Spirit--to be joined with "praying." It is he in us, as the Spirit of adoption, who prays, and enables us to pray (Rom 8:15,…”

“Praying always - It would be well for the soldier who goes forth to battle to pray - to pray for victory; or to pray that he may be prepared for death, should he fall. But soldiers do not often feel the necessity of this. To the Christian soldier, however, it is indispensable. Prayer crowns all lawful efforts with success and gives a victory when nothing else would. No matter how complete the armor; no matter how skilled we may be in the science of war; no matter how courageous we may be, we may be certain that without prayer we shall be defeated. God alone can give the victory; and when the Christian soldier goes forth armed completely for the spiritual conflict, if he looks to God by…”

“Praying always - At all times, and on every occasion, in midst of all employments, inwardly praying without ceasing. By the Spirit - Through the influence of the Holy Spirit. With all prayer - With all sort of prayer, public, private, mental, vocal. Some are careful in respect of one kind of prayer, and negligent in others. If we would have the petitions we ask, let us use all. Some there are who use only mental prayer or ejaculations, and think they are in a state of grace, and use a way of worship, far superior to any other: but such only fancy themselves to be above what is really above them; it requiring far more grace to be enabled to pour out a fervent and continued prayer, than to…”

“6:18 Paul contrasts purely mental prayer with prayer in the Spirit, prayer that arises from the Spirit of God within (see 1 Cor 14:15; Jude 1:20; cp. Rom 8:26-27). • at all times and on every occasion: Believers are to make prayer a way of life and turn the whole of life into prayer (see Phil 4:6-7; 1 Thes 5:17)—not simply for themselves, but for all believers everywhere. • Stay alert and be persistent: Because the danger of the devil is constant.”

“Praying: Eph 1:16; Job 27:10; Psa 4:1, Psa 6:9; Isa 26:16; Dan 6:10; Luk 3:26, Luk 3:37, Luk 18:1-7; Luk 21:36; Act 1:14, Act 6:4, Act 10:2, Act 12:5; Rom 12:12; Phi 4:6; Col 4:2; Th1 5:17; Ti2 1:3 supplication: Kg1 8:52, Kg1 8:54, Kg1 8:59, Kg1 9:3; Est 4:8; Dan 9:20; Hos 12:4; Ti1 2:1; Heb 5:7 in the: Eph 2:22; Zac 12:10; Rom 8:15, Rom 8:26, Rom 8:27; Gal 4:6; Jde 1:20 watching: Mat 26:41; Mar 13:33, Mar 14:38; Luk 21:36, Luk 22:46; Col 4:2; Pe1 4:7 all perseverance: Gen 32:24-28; Mat 15:25-28; Luk 11:5-8, Luk 18:1-8 supplication: Eph 6:19, Eph 1:16, Eph 3:8, Eph 3:18; Phi 1:4; Ti1 2:1; Col 1:4; Plm 1:5 Ephesians 6:19”