Part 12
(Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Some have argued that Paul left the “whole” armor incomplete by not mentioning the soldier’s lance. But he did mention it by implication in verse 18.
(Ephesians 6:18 NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
- Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons the Body of Christ possesses and is equally as important as all the other pieces.
Unseen spirits continually seek to bombard the flesh and hassle the minds of believers. These wicked spirits hate the presence of Jesus Christ and His church on the earth, making prayer an indispensable offensive weapon for believers to use to ward off the enemy’s attacks.
- We simply cannot maintain a victorious position apart from a life of prayer.
How Often Should We Pray?
(Ephesians 6:18 NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
The phrase “praying always” comes from the Greek phrase:
“en panti kairo” which means “at every time or season.” It can be accurately translated “at every opportunity” or “every chance you get.”
- Paul is telling us, “Anytime you get a chance, no matter where you are or what you are doing, at every opportunity, every season, and every possible moment – SEIZE the time to pray!”
- Prayer is not optional for the Christian who is serious about his spiritual life!
Different Lances for Different Purposes
The Roman lances varied greatly in size, shape and length. Some were used for gouging the enemy up close and some were used for hurling at the enemy at a distance.
After hitting his enemy with longer lance, the soldier would draw his sword and run to finish off the opponent – cutting off his head while he lay wounded on the ground.
It could be as Paul was writing this, the soldier guarding him had several of his lances leaning against the wall of the cell.
(Ephesians 6:18 NIV) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
- God has made many kinds of prayer available to us for different purposes in our fight of faith.
Types of Prayer
- When you wield the “lance of prayer and supplication”, this powerful prayer tool is thrust forward into the spirit realm against the works of the enemy. By forcibly hurling this divine instrument in the face of the enemy, you exercise the power God has given you to stop major obstacles from developing in your personal life.
- The Roman soldier had a shorter lance for thrusting into the enemy at short range. Nothing can compare to a believer’s prayer of faith that is filled with authority.
- The Roman soldier had a longer lance that he could hurl at his opponent from afar. We have the weapon of intercession that allows us to thwart an enemy attack in our lives or in someone else’s life before it ever occurs.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
“Eucharista” – Greek compound word of good and grace – wonderful feelings and good sentiments that freely flow up out of the heart in response to something.
(Ephesians 1:15-16 NKJV) Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, (16) do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
“My feelings concerning you cannot be contained. I can’t help but thank God for you!”
(Colossians 1:3 NKJV) We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
(1 Thessalonians 1:2 NKJV) (2) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
Tiny Adjustment
- Don’t believe in the power of prayer, believe in the power of God to whom you are praying.
If prayer alone would get the job done, then the Muslims and Buddhists would have more answered prayers than anyone because they pray all the time.
Let’s look at what Jesus said was important where prayer is concerned:
(John 11:38-44 NKJV) Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. (39) Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” (40) Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (41) Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. (42) And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” (43) Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” (44) And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
(1 John 5:14-15 NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (15) And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
God and His Word are one.
(John 1:1 NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- We can be assured that we are praying in line with God’s will when we pray in line with God’s Word.
Sometimes, you need to take some time and spend time with the Scriptures that cover what you are believing for.
Meditate on them and confess them over and over and build the capacity for faith in your spirit.
You must get full of the Word before your faith will work. Many times our faith comes up short because we are not full of the Word. We are full of too many other things and it hinders our faith.
- It is guaranteed that if we pray God’s Word, God will hear you and you will receive the answers to your prayers!