It is all too easy in any workplace to focus on difficult personalities or obstructive individuals. It takes spiritual insight to discern the real powers at work in any situation, and that insight often comes through prayer. As P.T. Forsyth said, 'not to pray is not to discern - not to discern the things that really matter, and the powers that really rule' (The Soul of Prayer, 22).
Commenting on Ephesians 6:12, John Stott (in The Message of Ephesians, 263-65) points out that the forces arrayed against us are powerful, seeking to usurp God's power; they are wicked, using their power destructively and for evil; and they are cunning, operating undercover so that we are caught off guard. No wonder Paul encourages us to pray in the Spirit, prompted and guided by him, in every situation.
In fact, the 'all occasions' of verse 18 reminds us that there is no situation in which prayer is not needed. Whether faced with daunting deadlines, stressful working relationships, the need for wisdom, head swelling success, or seeking opportunities to share our faith, prayer is key. When we discount the value of prayer we miss out on the most powerful means of transformation and insight that God gives us.
Three keys to effective prayer
