...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--- Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)
Phew! We’re dressed - finally. Some of those armor pieces were hard to put on and taking up the shield and sword requires some muscle, some spiritual muscle. Now that we’re dressed, what do we do? Clothed in this armor, going nowhere, is like putting on a formal gown and pearls with no place to go. We look rather foolish elegantly hanging out and watching TV.
Putting on the whole armor of God without prayer is comparable to lavishly retreating into seclusion with no objective. There’s really no reason in wearing stylish dress with no purpose, and wearing the armor of God without prayer is useless. Paul urges us in Ephesians to pray using the words all and always. He wants us to be watchful and complete in prayer, praying fully in every respect for all believers with endurance. He even encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” We’ll need to strengthen those spiritual muscles to pray that way. So let’s get to work--- praying!
Reading from The Power of a Praying Church by Stormie Omartian and The Life-Changing Power of Prayer by T. W. Hunt, I have learned that our prayer power collectively begins with us individually. We must choose to be alone with God to grasp the power of prayer, and Jesus is just the person to teach us how to pray.
Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. His power derived from prayer (read Mark 9:14-29). Jesus prayed in the morning - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35 NIV). He prayed at night - After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone...(Matthew 14:23 NIV).
He prayed before the crowds on the mountain where He preached - Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish (John 6:11 NIV).
He prayed in the garden while His disciples slept - Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Luke 22:39-46 NIV).
He often prayed alone to His Heavenly Father - Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone (John 6:15 NKJV) and at times He prayed all night - Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12 NKJV).
He taught His disciples how to pray (read Matthew 6:5-15) using what we call today The Lord’s Prayer. Every decision that Jesus made was preceded by prayer. His life’s work depended on prayer.
Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. His power derived from prayer (read Mark 9:14-29). Jesus prayed in the morning - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35 NIV). He prayed at night - After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone...(Matthew 14:23 NIV).
He prayed before the crowds on the mountain where He preached - Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish (John 6:11 NIV).
He prayed in the garden while His disciples slept - Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Luke 22:39-46 NIV).
He often prayed alone to His Heavenly Father - Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone (John 6:15 NKJV) and at times He prayed all night - Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12 NKJV).
He taught His disciples how to pray (read Matthew 6:5-15) using what we call today The Lord’s Prayer. Every decision that Jesus made was preceded by prayer. His life’s work depended on prayer.
If Jesus needed to pray continually, then we humans need to follow His example of constant prayer. He tells us in Luke 18:1 that “we should always pray and not give up”. Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:8 that “he desires for men to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting”. And he says to pray for all men - I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)
So find a quiet place, learn from your Lord how to pray, and “continue earnestly in prayer” as Colossians 4:2 states. Humble yourself before God, set you heart to understand, and don’t be afraid as a certain man (an angel or Christ) told Daniel in verses 12-13 of chapter 10. Read all of Daniel 10 and be encouraged that your words will be heard. When we continually communicate with Jesus through prayer, we will be able to discern His will for our lives and daily we will be strengthened.
So find a quiet place, learn from your Lord how to pray, and “continue earnestly in prayer” as Colossians 4:2 states. Humble yourself before God, set you heart to understand, and don’t be afraid as a certain man (an angel or Christ) told Daniel in verses 12-13 of chapter 10. Read all of Daniel 10 and be encouraged that your words will be heard. When we continually communicate with Jesus through prayer, we will be able to discern His will for our lives and daily we will be strengthened.
OH....I hear someone knocking. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20 NIV) Go to the door of your heart and let Him in to be your daily guide. You won’t be sorry and you stand to gain everything. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Keep on praying......