¹⁸ praying ^(A)at all times ^(B)in the Spirit, ^(C)with all prayer and supplication. To that end, ^(D)keep alert with all perseverance, making ^(E)supplication for all the saints,

^17 (A)pray without ceasing,

Further Instructions

^2 (A)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it ^(B)with thanksgiving.

Pray for All People

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

^6 (A)do not be anxious about anything, ^(B)but in everything by prayer and supplication ^(C)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

²⁰ But you, beloved, ^(A)building yourselves up in your most holy faith and ^(B)praying in the Holy Spirit,

^38 (A)Watch and ^(B)pray that you may not ^(C)enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For ^(A)we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but ^(B)the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And ^(C)he who searches hearts knows what is ^(D)the mind of the Spirit, because^[a] the Spirit ^(E)intercedes for the saints ^(F)according to the will of God.

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought ^(A)always to pray and not ^(B)lose heart. ² He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who ^(C)neither feared God nor respected man. ³ And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ⁴ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ^(D)‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” ⁶ And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. ⁷ And ^(E)will not God give justice to ^(F)his elect, ^(G)who cry to him day and night? ^(H)(I)Will he delay long over them? ⁸ I tell you, he will give justice to them ^(J)speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, ^(K)will he find faith on earth?”