With startling and overwhelming force thetremendous importance of prayer is set forth in Ephesians 6:18: "Praying alwayswith all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with allperseverance and supplication for all saints."

When we stop to weigh the meaning of these words, then note theconnection in which they are found, the intelligent child of God is driven tosay, "I must pray, pray, pray. I must put all my energy and all my heart intoprayer. Whatever else I do, I must pray."

The Revised Version is, if possible, stronger than the Authorized:"With all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, andwatching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

Note the alls: "with all prayer," "at all seasons," "in allperseverance," "for all the saints."Note the piling up of strong words, "prayer," "supplication," "perseverance."Note once more the strong expression, "watching thereunto," more literally,"being sleepless thereunto." Paul realized the natural slothfulness of man, andespecially his natural slothfulness in prayer. How seldom we pray thingsthrough! How often the church and the individual get right up to the verge of agreat blessing in prayer and just then let go, get drowsy and quit. I wish thatthese words "being sleepless unto prayer" might burn into our hearts. I wishthe whole verse might burn into our hearts.