Reflections on Ephesians 6:18 — A Humbled Heart Is All That God Requires

“Pray 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 ” — Ephesians 6:18 (RSV)

Reflecting on the dictionary’s definition of supplication — “begging for something earnestly or humbly” — gives me pause.

Begging humbly.

Is that always my state when I go to prayer? No, not always.

Unfortunately, I register a lot of quick, “how-ya-doin’-God?”,  prayers just before meals. (As if hearing a quick hello from me is just the thing that will cheer God up. ) And sometimes my prayers are downright self righteous. (“Lord, please bring Bob to his senses so he’ll stop being such a drain on me and others?”)

Thank you, Lord, for setting me straight today.

Both of those types of prayers (and others lacking in humility) are all too common in my life. And they miss Paul’s glorious point to the Ephesians (and all of us):  God’s power, unleashed in each of us, is eternally good — and eternally unstoppable. Humility is all that’s required of me (or anyone).

Lord, I need you. Nay, the world needs you! And, despite the silly, self-absorbed prayers that I am too often quick to put forth, I remain forever humbled by your undying Goodness.

Lord, let this be the spirit by which I approach all my prayers — all my thoughts — to You: “O Lord, our Lord,  how majestic is thy name in all the earth!” — Psalm 8:1

Oh, Lord, let Your blessed psalmists –Your most faithful of prayer warriors — forever be my guide to summoning Your Perfect Holy Spirit into my humbled heart before all my prayers.

Thanks forever be to You, Dear Lord, for all that is!