The Forgotten but Powerful Part of God's Armor


 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 keep on praying for the Church, God's holy people.

Where Most People Stop
It is my experience that, whenever I have heard people speak, or teach about getting clothed in Christ, by putting on the Armor of God, they usually use Ephesians 6:10-17. And as I understand it, they do so because they literally use the dress code guidance of how a Roman Soldier was dressed and prepared for battle.  While this has validity, this way of getting people prepared for being strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power, so that folks can stand against the Devil's schemes, leaves out weaponry that is highly important. Leaving out verse 18 is a BIG MISTAKE!

Why?

You may ask, "Why?"   I am glad you asked. First, the Bible, in verse 18, specifically tells us to pray, and it give us specific instruction on how to pray. Secondly,  prayer is powerful, potent and full of potentiality in spiritual warfare. This is especially true when carried out on behalf of the entire vineyard of the body of Christ; therefore, leaving prayer out is like having the spiritual warrior standing on quicksand as the spiritual warrior attempts to stand firm, be strong and stand against all the Devil's schemes.

Spiritual Warfare Praying: Clear Instructions

This brings us to extremely important God expectations on how we are to pray:
  1. Pray in the Spirit.
  2. On all occasions
  3. Utilize all kinds of prayers and request
  4. Be alert
  5. Always keep on praying for God's holy people.
Pray In The Spirit
Pentecostals would say number one means, Pray in tongues.  There is nothing wrong with this, but I believe we need to intentionally ask the Holy Spirit to help us pray as 'we ought'. Praying without the Holy Spirit inspiring our prayers will make our praying anemic.

On All Occasions
Number two is fairly self explanatory. Pray on all occasions. Folks, the world wide church is under fire, and it is being persecuted unmercifully. Don't make prayer for our brothers and sisters a rarity. Make it an intentional habit.

All Kinds

Number 3: Use all kinds of prayers and prayer requests.  Personally, I pray: 
  • The Lord's Prayer for the Church.  
  • I pray the 23rd Psalm for the Church.  
  • I pray Romans 13:11-14. 
  • I pray Ephesians 1:17-23 & Ephesians 3: 15-20.  
  • I pray each part of Ephesians 6:10-20 over the church as I put the armor over myself. 
  • I pray Philippians 1:9-11. 
  • I pray Colossians 1:9-14. 
  • I pray Philemon 1:6. 
  • Finally, I bless the Church with Hebrews 13:20-21. This is how the Holy Spirit leads me in some of my praying for God's holy people.

Be Alert

Number 4: Be Alert.  Don't get lazy. Be really focused on what is happening in the world, and be especially alert and focused on what is actually happening to the church. Let the Holy Spirit guide what He has alerted you to pray for.

Keep On

Number 5: Always keep on praying for God's holy people: Very simply, Don't quit praying. Keep on keeping on. God's people depend on it.

Think about this: What if every Christ Follower on Planet Earth took seriously this Prayer Part of the Armor of God?  I wonder what kinds of miracles we would be seeing.  We could really ALL have victory in Jesus.

God Bless You

SoJourner
 

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