Ephesians 6:13-20
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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
1. The Necessity of Warfare Prayer
Ephesians 6:18
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication…
Matthew 6:9-13
Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
“The King, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastising me, embraces me with love, makes me eat at His table, serves me with His own hands, gives me the key of His treasures.” (Brother Lawrence)
2. The Capability of Warfare Prayer
Ephesians 6:18
praying…in the Spirit…
Ephesians 3:14-19
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…that he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
3. The Frequency of Warfare Prayer
Ephesians 6:18
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication…
For this week’s application guide click this URL:https://storage2.snappages.site/QG8D8X/assets/files/Sermon-Application-Guide-Armor-of-God-3_-65.docx
Resources Cited
Books/Blogs/Commentaries
Batterson, Mark. If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities. Baker Books, 2015.
Chapell, Bryan. Ephesians. Edited by Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani. Reformed Expository Commentary. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2009.
Cordeiro, Wayne. A New Relationship. https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2002/may/13675.html
Hibbs, Pierce Taylor. You and an Invisible Person. https://piercetaylorhibbs.substack.com/p/you-and-an-invisible-person
Lawrence, Brother. The Practice of the Presence of God. New Kensington, PA. Whitaker House, 1982.
Miller, Paul. The Praying Life. Connecting With God in a Distracted World. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2009.
Stott, John R. W. God’s New Society: The Message of Ephesians. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
Witt, Rush. Diehard Sins: How to Fight Wisely Against Destructive Daily Habits. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2018.