The Whole Armor of God--Praying Always
1/15/2018

 
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. (Ephesians 6:18)

 

As Christians we are in a life and death struggle with Satan and his legions.  He wants us to fall through his illusions and lies (I Peter 5:8; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 2:11). He disguises himself as an angel of light when in reality he is an angel of darkness (2 Corinthians 11:14). He and his false prophets dress up in sheep's clothing, while inwardly they are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15).  He rejoices when marriages fail and divorce takes place, when our children go the way of the world, when brothers and sisters in the Lord erect barriers and divide and he loves it when we are no longer faithful to the Word of God.  To help us in this war the Lord has provided His armor.

 

There is a strong and powerful relationship between putting on the armor of God and praying. These two things belong together; in fact, one grows out of the other. Albert Barnes in his commentary said, "It would be well for the soldier who goes forth to battle to pray--to pray for victory; or to pray that he may be prepared for death, should he fall. But soldiers do not often feel the necessity of this. To the Christian soldier, however, it is indispensable. Prayer crowns all lawful efforts with success, and gives a victory when nothing else would. No matter how complete the armor; no matter how skilled we may be in the science of war; no matter how courageous we may be, we may be certain that without prayer we shall be defeated. God alone can give the victory; and when the Christian soldier goes forth armed completely for the spiritual conflict, if he looks to God by prayer, he may be sure of a triumph. In every temptation and spiritual conflict we are to pray."  It is no wonder that Jesus urged His disciples to pray at all times: "Then Jesus used this story to teach his followers that they should always pray and never lose hope" (Luke 18:1).  The Christian must not be fainthearted or be despondent in view of any trial or difficulty. It means we must not lose our motivation and become discouraged and give up because the answers do not come immediately.

 

William Barclay said that our praying should be in the "atmosphere of the Holy Spirit."  In other words we are to be influenced or controlled by the Spirit and constantly strengthened by Him (Ephesians 3:16).  To pray in the Spirit is to pray in concert with the Spirit, who "helps our weaknesses; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God"(Romans 8:26, 27).

 

Paul urges us to be "be on the alert" or "watchful" and this means to exercise constant vigilance over something or to be vigilant in awareness of threatening peril or danger. No soldier can afford to close his eyes to the enemy.  The word "perseverance" means to continue to do something with intense effort and even in spite of difficulties.  In the words of another, "Be resolute in prayer. Make any sacrifice to maintain it. Consider that time is short and that business and company must not be allowed to rob you of your God."

 

TEACH ME TO PRAY, LORD, TEACH ME TO PRAY

 

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray;

This is my heart-cry day unto day;

I long to know Thy will and Thy way;

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray.

Living in Thee, Lord, and Thou in me,

Constant abiding, this is my plea;

Grant me Thy power, boundless and free,

Power with men and power with Thee.

Power in prayer, Lord, power in prayer!

Here 'mid earth's sin and sorrow and care,

Men lost and dying, souls in despair;

O give me power, power in prayer!

 

My weakened will, Lord, Thou canst renew;

My sinful nature Thou canst subdue;

Fill me just now with power anew;

Power to pray and power to do!

 

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray;

Thou art my pattern day unto day;

Thou art my surety, now and for aye;

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray.

 

 

Lyrics: Albert Simpson Reitz (1879-1966)

 

Music: Albert Simpson Reitz (1879-1966)

 

"Daily Devotions by Guy Roberson"

Walnut Street Church of Christ

 






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