Empowered Prayer: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare
Summary
In Ephesians 6:18, Paul exhorts us to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, emphasizing the necessity of prayer in the spiritual warfare we face as Christians. We are engaged in a tremendous spiritual battle against unseen powers, and the only way to stand firm is by being filled with the power of the Lord and putting on the whole armor of God. However, even with this armor, prayer is essential. It is not enough to have the armor; we must have the strength to use it, which comes through prayer.
Prayer is not merely a ritual or a mechanical act; it is a profound spiritual exercise that requires us to pray in the Spirit. This means being led, guided, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. True prayer is not confined to specific places, times, or forms. It transcends these limitations and is characterized by a deep awareness of God's presence. It is not about frantic, hysterical pleas in times of crisis but a consistent, Spirit-led communion with God.
Praying in the Spirit involves realizing the truth about God as Spirit and approaching Him with reverence and godly fear. It means recognizing that our access to God is through the blood of Jesus, and our prayers should glorify Him. This kind of prayer is marked by assurance, confidence, and a filial relationship with God, where we address Him as Abba, Father.
Moreover, prayer in the Spirit is living, vital, and free. It is warm and energizing, not cold and lifeless. It is thoughtful, disciplined, and directed, aligning with the will and mind of Christ. Such prayer is full of faith and divine expectation, knowing that God hears and answers.
Ultimately, the key to effective prayer is to pray in the Spirit, allowing the Spirit to guide and direct us. When we do this, the details of when, where, and how to pray will naturally fall into place. Let us heed Paul's instruction to pray always, in all ways, and for all people, in and by the Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual Warfare and Prayer: We are engaged in a spiritual battle against unseen powers, and prayer is essential to stand firm. It is not enough to have the armor of God; we must have the strength to use it, which comes through prayer. [03:17]
- Praying in the Spirit: True prayer is not confined to specific places, times, or forms. It transcends these limitations and is characterized by a deep awareness of God's presence. Praying in the Spirit involves being led, guided, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. [22:23]
- Reverence and Access through Christ: Praying in the Spirit involves realizing the truth about God as Spirit and approaching Him with reverence and godly fear. Our access to God is through the blood of Jesus, and our prayers should glorify Him. [27:43]
- Living and Vital Prayer: Prayer in the Spirit is living, vital, and free. It is warm and energizing, not cold and lifeless. It is thoughtful, disciplined, and directed, aligning with the will and mind of Christ. [34:22]
- Faith and Expectation: Prayer in the Spirit is full of faith and divine expectation, knowing that God hears and answers. It involves a quiet confidence and assurance, looking for answers with anticipation. [38:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:18
- [01:05] - Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God
- [02:14] - The Reality of the Unseen
- [03:17] - The Necessity of Prayer
- [04:36] - Why We Should Pray
- [05:08] - How to Pray
- [06:23] - Praying in the Spirit
- [08:08] - The Day of Pentecost
- [09:24] - The Ultimate Object of Salvation
- [11:36] - Communion with God
- [12:08] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
- [14:01] - Access to the Father by the Spirit
- [15:26] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prayer
- [22:23] - Characteristics of Praying in the Spirit
- [38:02] - Faith and Expectation in Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:18
- John 4:23-24
- Romans 8:26-27
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 6:18, what are the different aspects of prayer that Paul emphasizes? How does this verse connect prayer with spiritual warfare? [00:09]
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the importance of praying in the Spirit, and how does it differ from mechanical or ritualistic prayer? [06:23]
3. How does the pastor describe the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding our prayers, according to Romans 8:26-27? [15:41]
4. What does Jesus teach about worship in John 4:23-24, and how does this relate to the concept of praying in the Spirit as discussed in the sermon? [12:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor explain the necessity of prayer in the context of spiritual warfare, and why is it not enough to simply put on the armor of God? [03:17]
2. What does it mean to pray in the Spirit, and how does this practice impact a believer's relationship with God according to the sermon? [22:23]
3. The pastor mentions that prayer in the Spirit involves a deep awareness of God's presence. How does this awareness change the way one approaches prayer? [24:28]
4. How does the sermon describe the balance between reverence and confidence when approaching God in prayer? What role does the blood of Jesus play in this balance? [27:43]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Do you find yourself engaging in mechanical prayers, or are you seeking to pray in the Spirit? What steps can you take to deepen your prayer life this week? [07:12]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit in prayer. How can you cultivate a habit of listening to the Spirit's guidance in your daily prayers? [22:39]
3. Consider a time when you prayed out of desperation rather than a consistent relationship with God. How can you develop a more consistent prayer life that is not crisis-driven? [22:09]
4. The pastor talks about approaching God with reverence and godly fear. How can you incorporate a sense of awe and respect into your prayer routine? [26:05]
5. Identify one area of your life where you need to exercise more faith and divine expectation in prayer. How can you actively trust God for an answer in this area? [38:02]
6. The sermon suggests that prayer should be warm and energizing. What practical changes can you make to ensure your prayer time is lively and engaging rather than cold and lifeless? [34:22]
7. How can you apply the concept of praying for all people, as Paul instructs, in your daily prayer life? Who is one person you can commit to praying for this week? [04:21]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Prayer in Spiritual Warfare
Prayer is the lifeline that empowers believers to stand firm in the spiritual battles they face. Ephesians 6:18 highlights the necessity of prayer in conjunction with the armor of God. While the armor provides protection, it is through prayer that believers receive the strength to wield it effectively. This spiritual exercise is not a mere ritual but a profound engagement with God, requiring believers to pray in the Spirit. This means being led and inspired by the Holy Spirit, transcending the limitations of time and place, and maintaining a consistent communion with God. Prayer is essential for victory in spiritual warfare, as it aligns believers with God's power and purpose. [03:17]
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current challenge in your life that feels like a spiritual battle. How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to seek God's strength and guidance in this situation?
Day 2: Praying Beyond Boundaries
True prayer transcends the confines of specific places, times, or forms. It is characterized by a deep awareness of God's presence and involves being led by the Holy Spirit. Praying in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire your prayers, making them a living and dynamic interaction with God. This form of prayer is not about frantic pleas in times of crisis but about maintaining a consistent, Spirit-led communion with God. It is an invitation to experience the freedom and vitality that comes from being in tune with the Spirit's leading. [22:23]
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current prayer habits. How can you create space in your life to be more aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance during your prayer times?
Day 3: Reverence and Access through Christ
Praying in the Spirit involves approaching God with reverence and godly fear, recognizing Him as Spirit. It is through the blood of Jesus that believers have access to God, and their prayers should glorify Him. This kind of prayer is marked by assurance and confidence, as believers address God as Abba, Father. It is a reminder of the intimate relationship believers have with God, made possible through Christ's sacrifice. Praying with reverence acknowledges God's holiness and the privilege of coming before Him in prayer. [27:43]
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh." (Hebrews 10:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your approach to prayer. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and gratitude for the access you have to God through Jesus?
Day 4: The Vitality of Spirit-Led Prayer
Prayer in the Spirit is living, vital, and free. It is warm and energizing, not cold and lifeless. This type of prayer is thoughtful, disciplined, and directed, aligning with the will and mind of Christ. It is a dynamic interaction with God that is full of faith and divine expectation. Believers are encouraged to pray with a sense of anticipation, knowing that God hears and answers. Spirit-led prayer is an invitation to experience the warmth and energy that comes from being in tune with God's will. [34:22]
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26, ESV)
Reflection: Think about your recent prayer experiences. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring more vitality and direction to your prayers?
Day 5: Faith and Expectation in Prayer
Prayer in the Spirit is characterized by faith and divine expectation. Believers are encouraged to pray with confidence and assurance, looking for answers with anticipation. This kind of prayer is not about wishful thinking but about trusting in God's faithfulness and His ability to answer. It involves a quiet confidence that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people. Praying with faith and expectation is an invitation to experience the joy and peace that comes from trusting in God's promises. [38:02]
"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a specific prayer request you have been bringing before God. How can you cultivate a greater sense of faith and expectation as you continue to pray about this request?
Quotes
"Now the Apostle addresses this exhortation you remember to these Ephesians in connection with his great teaching about the spiritual warfare in which they are of necessity engaged as Christian people. He's finished his Great and Mighty letter with all his exalted Doctrine and yet he can't let them go. Finally, he says, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that he may be able to stand against the Wilds of the devil." [00:01:03]
"Whether we are conscious of it or not, the fact is that we are set in this tremendous spiritual battle and conflict. There are these unseen Powers, these principalities and Powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, the spiritual wickedness even in the heavenli. Though we live in a world which is a material world, we are also citizens of a spiritual realm, and there is nothing that is of more vital importance as that we should realize that it's the Unseen that matters." [00:01:49]
"The Apostle tells us that the only way in which to stand, the only way not to be defeated and cast down, is to fill ourselves and to become filled with the power of the Lord, the strength, the Vigor, and the energy of the Lord himself, and in addition to that, to put on this whole armor of God. Now, those who attend here regularly will recall that we've gone into that in detail and we've been considering the various pieces and portions of this heavenly armor which is provided for us by God in order that we may stand." [00:03:15]
"The most essential thing about prayer is that it should be praying in the spirit. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, in the Holy Spirit. Now you notice the Apostle here does enter into many of the other details that often trip and cause people to stumble. He deals with a question of time, when should you pray, he deals with methods, he deals with types of prayer, he deals with the question of for whom should we pray." [00:06:20]
"The trouble with most of us in prayer is not that we are not sufficiently disciplined, although God knows we are not sufficiently disciplined, but that isn't our radical trouble. The radical trouble, as it seems to me, is that we've never truly known what it is to pray in the spirit. Now that is something that is repeatedly emphasized in the scriptures, and it's not inappropriate that we should be considering that in this with Sunday morning." [00:07:37]
"Prayer in the spirit is clearly prayer that is inspired by the holy spirit. It's prayer that is led by the holy spirit. It's prayer that is Guided by the spirit. It's prayer that is taught us by the spirit. I suppose indeed it could be put like this, that praying in the spirit is the praying of a man who is habitually being led by the spirit in the whole of his life." [00:22:31]
"To pray in the spirit means that of necessity you are right at this point at the very beginning that unlike the woman of Samaria you realize that God is spirit and that they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. We are not addressing simply some great impersonal power that is able to dispense blessings to us. We are not simply addressing whatever Gods may be for our and thanking whatever Gods may be for our unconquerable soul." [00:24:24]
"Prayer in the spirit of necessity means that because the holy spirit is one of the three blessed persons of the Holy Trinity and he knows the father and he knows that the father as our Lord knew is the Holy Father so as we are praying in the spirit and are guided and led and controlled of the spirit our whole attitude shall be one of awe and wonder and amazement." [00:26:19]
"Prayer in the spirit is a prayer with Assurance of Faith. We've known the other type of prayer, haven't we? We've known what it is to offer our petitions to God, but we've been uncertain, we've been unhappy, we haven't had Assurance, we didn't rarely know that God was there, we did it desperately, we were not quiet, there was no peace in us, we were restless and feverish." [00:30:19]
"Prayer in the spirit is a praying on the part of one who rarely does address God as Abba Father. He knows that God is his father. God has sent forth the spirit of his son into our hearts, says Paul again to the Galatians, crying Abba Father, and that is a very good test of whether we are praying in the spirit or not, and it's not true prayer, my friends, until we come to that." [00:31:03]
"Prayer in the spirit is always living, it's vital, it's free, it's warm, it energizes one again, and one is filled with a sense of joy and of Peace. But also at the same time, it's always thoughtful, it's directed, it concentrates. In other words, it isn't a wild Riot, it isn't an ecstasy. You remember how the Apostle puts it again to these Ephesians, be not drunk, he says, with wine wherein is excess but be filled with the spirit." [00:35:32]
"It will be a prayer that will be full of faith and of a divine expectation with that quiet confidence and Assurance knowing that we are indeed being led and directed of the spirit. We shall not only come with faith but with expectancy. We shall look for answers unlike the man depicted by James who was double-minded and whose mind was like the waves of the sea tossed about." [00:38:02]
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