Paul concludes his description of the armor of God with a mention of prayer. The explanation for the addition of prayer lies in Greek grammar. “Praying” is a participle, not a verbal imperative command like “take the helmet” and “[take] the sword” (Ephesians 6:17). In Paul’s mind, praying was a means to accomplishing the previous instructions: Put on the armor while praying.

For Paul, prayer was akin to breathing—a natural activity of communication with God. Just as we don’t need to be commanded to breathe, we shouldn’t need to be commanded to pray. And yet Paul does, as a reminder, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” Just as breathing is a continual exercise, so should prayer be: Pray all the time (“always”), with all prayer, with all perseverance, for all the saints—the four “alls” of prayer. Prayer is a critical component in being “strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10). Coating our spiritual armor in prayer provides power and wisdom in spiritual battles.

How long can you live without breathing? And how long can you live fruitfully without praying?      

Believing prayer takes its stand upon the faithfulness of God.
D. Edmond Hiebert