THE CHRISTIAN’S ARMOR
Ephesians 6:10-18
Ephesians 6:18
#8 - PROCEDURE
FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYING
"Praying always with
all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints."
One of the most
difficult things a Christian is asked to do is to pray
consistently.
I personally feel that
the difficulty rises because Satan knows just how
effective prayer is.
He doesn't want us to
pray and he fights us about prayer.
The passage before us
follows the description of the Christian Soldier's
armor. While technically not part of the armor, prayer is essential
in the
armor's use. Prayer activates the armor and keeps us in touch with
our
general, The Lord Jesus Christ.
FREQUENCY OF PRAYER -
"always"
Prayer will not always
be on our lips, but should never be far from our
lips.
Continual prayer is
taught several places in Scripture including Psalm
55:17, Acts 6:4, 2 Timothy 1:3 and Philippians 4:6.
FULLNESS OF PRAYER -
"all"
Prayer is not just
asking God for things. I have had friends whom only
called me when they wanted something. I didn't appreciate this.
Imagine how
God feels when all we do
is ask. Prayer includes:
Praise - Psalm 47:6-7,
Psalm 96:1-2
Thanksgiving - 1
Thessalonians 5:18
Request for guidance -
James 1:5
Confession - Psalm 32:5
Request for spiritual
needs - 1 John 5:14-15
Intercession - Ephesians
FORCE OF PRAYER -
"in the Spirit"
The Holy Spirit should
guide our prayers. He will, as we yield to His
filling.
FOCUS OF PRAYER -
"all saints" and unsaved (1Timothy 2:1-4)
Paul gives us at least four
prayers to model in praying for other believers.
Ephesians 1:16-23,
We should ask God to
save those who don't know Christ.
FAITHFULNESS IN PRAYER -
"perseverance"
We should continually be
praying according to God's will until He sends the
answer. Luke 18:1-8
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