THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10)

Devotion 10 of 15

PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER

The bane of Western religion is its casualness. A lack of zeal and wholehearted commitment is conspicuously absent. This framework has allowed for the entrance of mediocre preaching, teaching, songs, and literature. We are plagued with mediocre singers, leaders, schools, and institutions. No one of substance is satisfied with these conditions, and they constitute a weight to those of tender heart. It is not pleasant to deal with this subject.

This kind of spiritual environment has caused people to see little or no need for "the whole armor of God." Lightheartedness, entertainment, and other forms of religious distraction have caused people to lose a sense of the battle into which they have been called. However, the battle is very real, and a lack of appropriate readiness only guarantees it will be lost to the devil and his hosts of darkness.

This brings us to the final aspect of "the whole armor of God" that is mentioned in the sixth chapter of Ephesians: PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER.

"Praying always with ALL prayer and supplication IN THE SPIRIT, and watching thereunto with ALL perseverance and supplication for ALL saints." (KJV) "With ALL prayer and petition pray at ALL times IN THE SPIRIT, and with this in view, be on the alert with ALL perseverance and petition for ALL the saints." (NASB) "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 saints." (NIV) "With prayers and deep desires, making requests at ALL times IN THE SPIRIT, and keeping watch, with strong purpose, in prayer for ALL the saints." (BBE) "Pray at ALL times and on every occasion IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for ALL Christians everywhere." (NLT) – (Ephesians 6:18)

This admonition is notable from several different perspectives. First, note the emphasis on thoroughness: "ALL prayer . . . ALL perseverance . . . and for ALL saints." The Spirit lifts us out of our private worlds into the consideration of "ALL saints." He also removes us from an emphasis on specialties to ponder "ALL prayer and supplication." Emphasizing that this is the "whole armor of GOD," we are exhorted to "pray IN THE SPIRIT." Our prayers are also to be attended and motivated by watchfulness and perseverance, or persistence, in prayer. There is no place for indifference or casualness in this admonition, just as there is no room for them in any facet of spiritual life.

AT ALL TIMES

Like other aspects of "the whole armor of God," prayer is not to be seasonal. It is not provided for special crises, or to be taken up only when nothing else works. Prayer is for "all occasions" (NIV) and "all times" (NASB). Prayers are to be raised in times of peace as well turmoil, and during tranquility as well as agitation. When our hearts are rejoicing, we are to pray, and when they are weighed down with concerns, we are to pray. When we are being assaulted by the devil, and in the heat of the battle, we are to pray. When we are blessed with refreshment from on high, we are to pray also.

We are fortified against the devil when we pray "always." Prayer is an appointed means of expressing our hearts to God. It is a means of receiving needed graces. It is also a means by which the Lord communicates with us, assuring our hearts and opening new vistas of His marvelous truth to us. May you resort more frequently to prayer–"at all times." In a sense, we are fighting Satan and his hosts when we pray.

ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION

Prayer itself is a vast consideration. There are many different kinds of prayer, and all of them are calculated to give the believer the advantage against the devil.

THANKSGIVINGS are to be raised for benefits received, and for prayers that are answered. In order to be effective against the adversary, they should be swiftly returned, while the warmth of blessing is still upon us. We have been "called" to be thankful, and therefore must give ourselves to it (Col 3:15).

PRAISE is insightful glory brought to God when His hand is seen. It is "comely" for the saints to praise God, extolling Him when His working is perceived (Psa 33:1; 147:1). On the Isle of Patmos, John heard a voice coming from the throne. It said, "Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great" (Rev 19:5). On one occasion the Israelites overcame the foe without even fighting. Singers were appointed to praise the Lord for His holiness. When they began to sing, "the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten" (2 Chron 20:17-22).

PETITIONS are special and fervent requests. David once prayed the people of God would be granted "all" their "petitions" (Psa 20:5). These are not necessarily associated with specific promises, but are driven by faith and a sense of need. We are told when God "hears" our them, "we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him" (1 John 5:15).

Prayer also includes the presentation of CAUSES to the Lord. Like a spiritual lawyer, and in faith, the believer can present causes to the Lord that will bring glory to Him and aid to His people. God once challenged Israel, "Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob" (Isa 41:21). When seeking to comprehend his situation, Job said he was ready to present his "cause" to the Lord and fill his mouth "with arguments" (Job 5:8; 13:18; 23:4). Jeremiah also said he had revealed his "cause" to the Lord (Jer 11:20).

SUPPLICATIONS are a special category of prayer, being specified in our text. These are strong entreaties, in which the soul cries out to God for assistance. In the hour of great trial, Jesus is said to have "offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death" (Heb 5:7). Believers are admonished to offer up "supplications" in their assemblies (1 Tim 2:1). We are to make our personal requests known to God "by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" (Phil 4:6). Words like "cry," "plead," and "call" are characteristic in "supplications."

IN THE SPIRIT

Our prayers are to be offered "in the Spirit–the Holy Spirit." Some teach this refers to unintelligible utterances, but such a notion is not supported by the Word of God. We have no example of Satan being repelled by such prayers, or the powers of darkness neutralized by them. Praying in the Holy Spirit involves being directed and strengthened by Him in our prayers. Understanding, sensitivity, and full assurance come from Him, and aid us in presenting prayers that are effective weapons. Jude exhorted believers to build themselves up on their "most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). Not the least of praying in the Spirit is a sense of dependency upon Him. He moves us to cry out "Abba, Father" (Rom 8:15).

WATCHFULNESS AND PERSEVERANCE

Effective prayers are preceded by watchfulness and endurance. The tendency to wait until a crisis has occurred will not yield powerful prayers. The believer is to be like a watchman on the wall of life, watching for inimical forces, and praying before they storm the gate. There is also to be a steadiness in the warrior that comes from steadfastness, endurance, and holding on our way.

FOR ALL SAINTS

We not only fight for ourselves, but for our brethren. We assume the role of Nehemiah who called out to the people, "Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and FIGHT FOR YOUR BRETHREN, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses" (Neh 4:14). Remember "ALL saints." Many of your brothers and sisters are enduring great afflictions that have drained their energies. Some, like Paul, are being "pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch" they have "despaired even of life" (2 Cor 1:8). Fight for them! Take up the weapon of all prayer for your kindred in Christ Jesus!

PRAYER POINT: Father, show me more about the power and effectiveness of prayer. In Jesus' name, open to my understanding new and fresh ways in which to pray. Grant me grace to uphold my brethren with "all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."

– Tomorrow: THE ARMOR OF LIGHT --