"pray For All The Saints

"Pray for all the saints" Ephesians 6:18

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

While in a Roman prison, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church in Ephesus, and in it, he praised and thanked the Ephesian church members, saying, “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:15-16) He expresses gratitude for two things concerning the Ephesian saints: first, their faith in the Lord, and second, the fact that they love all the saints. His gratitude being expressed not just once but continually shows how important faith in the Lord and love for all the saints are.

The Apostle Paul, while in a Roman prison, also wrote a letter to the church in Colossae, offering the same praise: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints” (Colossians 1:3-4). Regarding the Colossian saints as well, Paul, having heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and their love for all the saints, confesses that he thanks God the Father whenever he prays.

However, it doesn't end here. According to today's scripture, he exhorts the Ephesian saints to pray for all the saints. He is saying not only to love one another but also to pray for and love other saints beyond the boundaries of your own church. I believe that this message to "pray for all the saints" and "love all the saints" is one of the most necessary messages for us today, both individually and as a church.

Then, why did the Apostle Paul, when there were countless reasons to give thanks, continually and persistently express gratitude especially for these two things—faith in Jesus Christ and love for all the saints—and why does he emphasize praying for all the saints in today's scripture?

Firstly, it is because praying for and loving all the saints is the wish and command of our Lord Jesus Christ. Right before He was crucified, Jesus gave a new commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.” And right before He was crucified, the content of His longest prayer during His life is recorded in John chapter 17, and the theme of that prayer was for His disciples to be one. I believe that this is the most important commandment and also prayer that Jesus gave as His last will and testament.

Nevertheless, it is not easy for us Christians to experience loving one another in the Lord and becoming one in the Lord. How is it with you all? As you headed to church today, did you come thinking about how you would encourage and love the members you would meet today? It is easy to preach about love, but if it is too hot or if it suddenly rains heavily, we are busy trying to find a convenient parking spot for ourselves rather than thinking about those who will arrive later. I like slightly firmer rice. But because I have trouble digesting, I have never considered those who like softer rice, that it would be nice if soft rice were served today. Like this, it is difficult for us to break away from self-centered thinking. We are insensitive to the needs of others. If this is our true nature, it is easy for us to reveal our selfish nature without even realizing it, and it is also very easy to disappoint others.

It is said that missionaries in India asked Gandhi, "What do you think is the biggest obstacle to spreading Christianity to the Indian people?" And Gandhi is said to have said in one word, "Christians." The biggest obstacle to us Christians spreading Christ is ourselves. Even within the church, disputes arise among members, and there are many cases where they even drag each other to secular courts. And both inside and outside the church, there is a lack of trust among ministers, and among churches, rather than cooperating with each other, there are not a few cases where they even become wary of and competitive with each other. Even evangelism and social service often end up being done for the sake of one's own church rather than in the name of Christ. The spiritual atmosphere was not much different in the Apostle Paul's time.

That is why the Apostle Paul lamented like this: “For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:21) Why did he make this lamentation? While the Apostle Paul was living in a Roman prison, he was extremely concerned about the Philippian saints and wanted to send someone to the Philippian church, but no one volunteered except Timothy. And he says the following about Timothy: “I have no one else like him, who genuinely cares for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:20-21)