Empowered Through Prayer: The Armor of God

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian, especially in the context of spiritual warfare. As believers, we are engaged in a constant battle against the forces of evil, just as Christ was during His time on earth. This battle is not a sign that we are doing something wrong; rather, it is an inevitable part of the Christian journey. The Apostle Paul instructs us to put on the whole armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. However, he makes it clear that these elements alone are not enough. They must be accompanied by constant prayer.

Prayer is not an additional piece of armor but a vital practice that empowers and enlivens the armor we wear. It is through prayer that we maintain our connection with God, ensuring that our spiritual defenses are not merely mechanical or ritualistic. Without prayer, even the most orthodox understanding of doctrine can become lifeless and ineffective. True prayer is characterized by being in the Spirit, which means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and direct our prayers. This is not about the formality of words or rituals but about a living, dynamic relationship with God.

The New Testament places significant emphasis on prayer, as seen in the life of Jesus, who often withdrew to pray. This practice is essential for us to avoid spiritual fainting and to remain strong in the Lord. Our prayer life is a true test of our spiritual health and understanding of God's Word. It is not enough to know about God; we must know Him personally, and prayer is the means by which we cultivate this relationship. In prayer, we experience the presence of God, which leads to true worship and adoration.

Key Takeaways:

- Spiritual warfare is an inevitable part of the Christian life, and we must be prepared with the whole armor of God. However, this armor is only effective when accompanied by constant prayer, which keeps us connected to God and empowers our spiritual defenses. [02:41]

- Prayer is not an additional piece of armor but a vital practice that enlivens and empowers the armor we wear. It is through prayer that we maintain a living, dynamic relationship with God, ensuring that our spiritual defenses are not merely mechanical or ritualistic. [07:57]

- True prayer is characterized by being in the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and direct our prayers. This is not about the formality of words or rituals but about a living, dynamic relationship with God. [30:49]

- Our prayer life is a true test of our spiritual health and understanding of God's Word. It is not enough to know about God; we must know Him personally, and prayer is the means by which we cultivate this relationship. [18:40]

- In prayer, we experience the presence of God, which leads to true worship and adoration. This experience is characterized by warmth, freedom, and a deep sense of communion with God, which is essential for effective spiritual warfare. [42:50]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:18
[01:03] - The Christian's Spiritual Battle
[02:41] - The Armor of God
[03:42] - The Role of Prayer
[05:04] - Prayer as a Vital Practice
[07:57] - Prayer and the Spirit
[10:19] - The Danger of Dead Orthodoxy
[12:01] - The Importance of Prayer in Church
[14:41] - The Spirit's Role in Prayer
[19:10] - Theology and Prayer
[22:06] - Forms of Prayer
[26:50] - The Secret of True Prayer
[30:49] - Praying in the Spirit
[37:55] - Practical Aspects of Praying in the Spirit
[42:50] - Experiencing God's Presence in Prayer
[47:29] - Perseverance in Prayer
[50:29] - Closing Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:18
- Romans 8:26-27
- Philippians 4:6-7

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ephesians 6:18 say about the role of prayer in the life of a believer, especially in the context of spiritual warfare? [01:03]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the armor of God and prayer? [04:09]

3. According to the sermon, what is the danger of relying solely on the armor of God without prayer? [08:14]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "praying in the Spirit"? [30:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does the sermon emphasize that prayer is not an additional piece of armor but a vital practice that enlivens the armor? [07:57]

2. How does the sermon explain the concept of "dead orthodoxy," and what role does prayer play in preventing it? [11:20]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer is a test of our spiritual health and understanding of God's Word? [18:40]

4. How does the sermon describe the experience of God's presence in prayer, and why is this important for effective spiritual warfare? [42:50]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How often do you engage in prayer, and do you feel it empowers your spiritual defenses? What changes can you make to ensure prayer is a constant part of your spiritual routine? [06:35]

2. The sermon warns against "dead orthodoxy." How can you ensure that your understanding of doctrine is alive and active in your daily life through prayer? [11:20]

3. Consider a time when you felt disconnected from God. How might praying in the Spirit, as described in the sermon, help you reconnect and experience God's presence? [30:49]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of experiencing God's presence in prayer. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence during your prayer time? [42:50]

5. How can you incorporate different forms of prayer, such as supplication, thanksgiving, and adoration, into your daily routine to enrich your spiritual life? [22:06]

6. Think of a specific challenge or spiritual battle you are currently facing. How can you use prayer to seek guidance and strength from God in this situation? [02:41]

7. The sermon mentions the importance of perseverance in prayer. What strategies can you implement to remain persistent and consistent in your prayer life, even when it feels difficult? [47:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Prayer Empowers Spiritual Armor
In the Christian life, spiritual warfare is an unavoidable reality. Believers are called to equip themselves with the full armor of God, which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. However, these elements alone are insufficient without the power of prayer. Prayer is the lifeline that connects us to God, ensuring that our spiritual defenses are not just mechanical or ritualistic. It is through prayer that we draw strength and vitality, enabling us to stand firm against the forces of evil. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that prayer is not an additional piece of armor but a vital practice that enlivens and empowers the armor we wear. Without it, even the most orthodox understanding of doctrine can become lifeless and ineffective. [02:41]

Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What specific piece of God's armor do you feel is weakest in your life right now? How can you use prayer to strengthen it today?


Day 2: Prayer as a Dynamic Relationship
Prayer is not merely a ritual or a set of words; it is a dynamic and living relationship with God. It is through prayer that we maintain our connection with Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and direct our prayers. This relationship is characterized by being in the Spirit, which means that our prayers are not about formality but about genuine communion with God. True prayer enlivens our spiritual defenses and ensures that they are not merely mechanical. It is through this living relationship that we experience the presence of God, leading to true worship and adoration. [07:57]

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): "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. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers today, making them more than just words but a true conversation with God?


Day 3: Praying in the Spirit
True prayer is characterized by being in the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide, empower, and direct our prayers. This is not about the formality of words or rituals but about a living, dynamic relationship with God. Praying in the Spirit means that our prayers are infused with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, making them effective and life-giving. It is through this kind of prayer that we maintain our connection with God and ensure that our spiritual defenses are not merely mechanical or ritualistic. [30:49]

Jude 1:20-21 (ESV): "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your prayers are guided by the Holy Spirit, rather than just your own thoughts and desires?


Day 4: Knowing God Personally Through Prayer
Our prayer life is a true test of our spiritual health and understanding of God's Word. It is not enough to know about God; we must know Him personally, and prayer is the means by which we cultivate this relationship. In prayer, we experience the presence of God, which leads to true worship and adoration. This experience is characterized by warmth, freedom, and a deep sense of communion with God, which is essential for effective spiritual warfare. [18:40]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: How can you move beyond simply knowing about God to truly knowing Him personally through your prayer life today?


Day 5: Experiencing God's Presence in Prayer
In prayer, we experience the presence of God, which leads to true worship and adoration. This experience is characterized by warmth, freedom, and a deep sense of communion with God, which is essential for effective spiritual warfare. It is through prayer that we maintain our connection with God, ensuring that our spiritual defenses are not merely mechanical or ritualistic. This living relationship with God is what empowers and enlivens the armor we wear, enabling us to stand firm against the forces of evil. [42:50]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your prayer life to more fully experience the presence of God and the joy that comes with it?

Quotes



As Christians, we are set in this conflict. Our blessed Lord, when he was here in the flesh, was in the same conflict. He was tempted in all points like as we are. The devil assailed him, and all these powers were used against him. The very fact that we are Christian means that we are inevitably involved in this kind of fight and conflict. [00:01:46]

The armor that God provides for us must never be thought of mechanically, still less magically. Now, that's the danger, that's the temptation—to feel that as long as you're provided with this armor, you put on this armor, well, there's no more to be done, that everything is all right, that the armor will in and of itself protect you. [00:08:08]

Even Orthodoxy is not enough. We must be Orthodox; we must have the whole armor of God. We are hopeless if we haven't got it. You can't fight the devil with philosophy; you can't fight him with idealism; you can't fight him with anything but with the truth of God, which is provided for us. [00:10:39]

Our ultimate position as Christians is tested by the character of our prayer life. More important than knowledge and understanding—oh, don't imagine I'm detracting from that. I spend most of my life in showing the importance of having a knowledge of Truth and understanding. It is incomparably important. [00:18:37]

The ultimate test of my understanding of the scriptural teaching is the amount of time I spend in prayer. Theology, knowledge of God—so the more I know theology, the more it ought to drive me to seek to know God, not to know about him, but to know him. [00:19:10]

The secret of true prayer is found in three words: in the Spirit. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Now here's a vital point. Here is the real essence, the very life and spirit of prayer. Again, it's something that we find repeated and emphasized constantly in the scripture. [00:26:50]

The Spirit always brings us to that realization that we enter into the holiest of all only by the blood of Jesus. And the moment you realize that, your heart is melted and is warmed; something happens to you. That's praying in the Spirit. You see, the formality is finished with, and now we are in this spiritual condition. [00:41:20]

Praying in the Spirit means that you're having fellowship with God. You know he is listening. You know he—the realization of the presence of God. The Spirit always brings that, and we must be content with nothing less. And that, of course, ends in true worship, in adoration, in prayers. [00:42:50]

Formal prayers are not enough for the world and the church as they are today. We need this praying in the Spirit. We need to lay hold on God, to use those expressive dramatic words of the prophet Isaiah, lay hold on, and you'll never lay hold of him unless you're in the Spirit. [00:45:57]

Keep on at it always, at every time, on every occasion, at all seasons. Pray without ceasing, he says to the Thessalonians. That's what he's saying here, in a sense, praying always, not now and again, not simply when you're in trouble, not simply when things are going wrong. [00:47:29]

Let's keep the order. You must have the whole armor of God. I'm not simply exalting people to pray who don't know their truth, their doctrine. No, no, put on the whole armor, piece by piece, but put on each piece with prayer to keep your armor bright. [00:48:59]

Make it come alive, let it burst into flame, let your knowledge be illuminating, let it lead to a knowledge of God that is indescribable because of its glory, praying always in the Spirit. Amen. [00:49:57]

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Transcript
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