Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus the Christ, 

Ephesians 6:18 (KJV) – “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) – “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.”

James 5:16b(AMPC) – “The earnest (hearfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”

In the letter to Christians of the Church at Ephesus, Apostle Paul includes prayer as a significant part of the whole armor of God; relaying that all kinds of prayer must be used and emphasizing being led by the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is commonly understood as praying in tongue (an unknown language). As the New Testament was originally in Greek, translation often changes the original intent of a word. Specific to Ephesians 6:18, Paul is referring to being led by the Spirit which may occur while praying in the Spirit or in tongue. To be clear, we aren’t praying to the Holy Spirit because He is here with us. After the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Ephesians 2:16-18; Colossians 1:15-20), when Abba Father raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand (Ephesians 1:20), God the Father sent the Holy Spirit Whose ministry on earth is now with Believers to comfort, counsel, and remind us of all things Jesus (John 14:16-17 & 26; John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8). Therefore, in this new covenant between GOD and man, our “Prayer is properly addressed to God the Father (Matthew 6:6, John 16:23; Ephesians 1:17 & 3:14) and the Son (Acts 7:59; 2Co 12:8) . . .” ¹

As clarified by Kenneth E. Hagin, both “supplication” and “intercession” pertain to intense praying but the application thereof is significantly different. That is, “supplication” is intense prayer for the saints (i.e., Christians, Believers) whereas “intercession” is intense prayer for others (i.e., non-believers). Isaiah who became a prophet in 740bc described the coming Messiah, close to a thousand years in advance, as having made intercession on our behalf (Isaiah 53:12b). The Lord Jesus is referred to as the Great Intercessor because throughout His earthbound ministry, He interceded for all mankind in both word and deed; even merely hours before as well as during The Passion of the Christ (John 17:1-26; Luke 23:34). In other words, we too were in the category of “others” until the blood of Jesus reconciled us as children of God. For “Christ Jesus is the Revealer and Mediator of God’s will” 1 Thessalonians 5:18b (AMP): He is the High Priest Who mediated the new covenant between GOD and man (Hebrews 9:3-15).

 As it is written, “Since we compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us.” Romans 3:23-24 (MSG). Prayer is a significant aspect of the whole armor of God, and all restored to right standing by the Blood may approach God the Father to: converse, petition, request, pray/ask for ourselves, and/or in supplication for our brothers & sisters in Christ, and/or serve as a mediator or intercessor for others (1 Timothy 2:1-2). There is no more “middle man” or mediator for those who are in Him; for the finished work of Christ Jesus tore the veil (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). Now, we may approach Abba Father directly with confidence; and when we don’t know what we ought to pray for, the Holy Spirit will help us (Romans 8:26-27). Abba Father, in Jesus’ name, may we increasingly yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit; that we be led by the Spirit.

 Speak the promise . . . Harriet

 ¹ Vine, W.E. (1996; 1997). Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. (p. 872). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

² Hagin, K.E. (Fourth Edition 2006). The Art of Prayer: A Handbook On How To Pray. Tulsa, OK: Faith Library Publications.