The Power of Prayer

¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:18-20

Sweet friends, what a blessing it has been examining the whole armor of God with you!

I hope that you have learned as much as I have during this series. Truly God has placed every piece of armor in precisely the right spot in the list. Take some time today to praise God for His perfect provision and protection, given to us through His armor and through what we’ve learned about keeping it tightly fastened and in good condition.

Let’s close out this series with a look at Ephesians 6:18-20.

In these closing verses, Paul is asking the church at Ephesus (the Ephesians) to be alert, to be patient and enduring (persevere), to pray at all times for each other, for the saints, and for Paul himself. Specifically, Paul directs them to pray in the Spirit – meaning led by the Spirit rather than by human reasoning or human desire (Romans 8:26-27).

Dear heart, the pieces of the armor of God are tightened and maintained through prayer. Let’s review the pieces briefly:

• Belt of Truth
• Breastplate of Righteousness
• Shoes (Gospel of Peace)
• Shield of Faith
• Helmet of Salvation
• Sword of the Spirit (Word of God)

When we pray, we give God praise; we can praise God for the protection He provides through His armor. Praising God reminds us of His greatness and of our need for His armor.

When we pray, we make petitions; we can petition God to tighten our armor, to strengthen our hold on the shield of faith and sword of the Spirit. Petitioning God gives us opportunities to see Him move in our lives, to feel His presence as He strengthens and tightens our armor.

When we pray, we make supplication for others; we can ask God humbly and earnestly to help our friends and family tighten and maintain their armor, for the unbelievers in our lives to hear His truth and take hold of His saving grace and armor too. Making supplication for others also gives us opportunities to see God move, growing our faith in Him.

Beloved, as you seek to don God’s armor, to keep it fastened tightly and in good repair, be certain to keep prayer in your spiritual disciplines. After all, a knight learns to wield a sword through discipline, to properly put on armor through repeated practice.

Today, let us reflect on the power of prayer and remember in our prayers to thank God for each piece of His armor, petitioning Him to help us learn to wear it better.

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