Ephesians 6:10–18
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
— Ephesians 6:18
For the past few weeks, we have been learning about the weapons of spiritual warfare: the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shoes of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit.
Today, we come to a core element of spiritual warfare: praying always in the Spirit.
Prayer is not listed as one of the six pieces of armour in the same way as the others, but it is an all-encompassing element of God’s armoury. Prayer is what helps us activate and exercise every piece of the armour of God.
Why Do We Need Prayer?
We need prayer:
- To act in faith.
- To stand in the salvation Christ has purchased for us.
- To know, speak, and act upon God’s truth.
- To operate in the righteousness we have received in Christ.
- To live, walk in peace, and share peace with others.
- To engage with God’s Word and receive insight from it.
The armour of God equips us to stand. Prayer keeps us connected to God as we stand and resist the devil. It connects us to God’s strength rather than our own.
Facts About Prayer
1. Prayer Is Compulsory, Not Optional
“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”
— Luke 18:1
If you must have a healthy Christian life, prayer is essential.
If you are struggling with your prayer life, the answer is not to give up. The answer is to pray.
An attack on your prayer life can give the enemy room to invade your life and rob you of what God has provided for you. Do not become comfortable with a life devoid of prayer.
We must also remember that our real battle is not against people.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…”
— Ephesians 6:12
Your neighbour, spouse, co-worker, or the friend who betrayed you is not the ultimate enemy. Our fight is spiritual.
2. Prayer Must Be Rooted in Scripture
Praying always should become a daily habit.
Prayer without the Word is incomplete. God’s Word gives us the foundation upon which we pray and helps us align our prayers with His purposes.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…”
— Hebrews 4:12
3. There Is No Gift of Consistency in Prayer
Consistency in prayer requires responsibility.
You have to make time and make space for prayer.
Sometimes that means saying no to social media. Sometimes it means saying no to entertainment, food, sleep, or other activities competing for your attention.
If prayer is important to your Christian life, you must deliberately create room for it.
4. Studying God’s Word Without Prayer Is Incomplete
You can accumulate a great deal of biblical information without experiencing transformation.
It is the Spirit of God who helps us understand God’s Word and receive insight from it. Reading the Bible without engaging God in prayer is therefore incomplete.
5. New Converts Must Be Taught How to Pray
One of the most important things a new believer needs to learn is how to pray.
Prayer is not merely an activity for mature Christians. It is foundational to the Christian life.
6. Pray in the Spirit and in Your Understanding
Both should be maximized.
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…”
— Jude 1:20
7. Have Periodic Times Alone With God
There should be times when you deliberately separate yourself from distractions and spend time alone with God.
Jesus Himself went to the mountain to pray, escaping the crowds and finding quiet time with the Father.
“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”
— Luke 6:12
8. Unknown Things Are Revealed in Prayer
Prayer is a place of revelation.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
— Jeremiah 33:3
In the place of prayer:
- Spiritual strategies are revealed.
- Secrets are revealed.
- We receive greater understanding of God’s purposes and His dealings in our lives.
9. Prayer Must Be Heartfelt
Prayer should move beyond routine and formal words.
It should reflect sincerity, deep emotion, and a genuine connection with God.
10. Prayer Must Be Effectual and Fervent
Prayer should be passionate, intense, and fervent.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
— James 5:16
Be Strong in the Lord
Paul begins Ephesians 6 by saying:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
— Ephesians 6:10
Notice where our strength comes from.
Not ourselves.
Not our experience.
Not our skills.
Not our talents.
Our strength is in the Lord and in the power of His might.
We become strong in the Lord when we stop relying on our own strength and human abilities and depend wholly upon God.
Paul then says:
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
— Ephesians 6:11
The believer needs both God’s armour and God’s strength.
The Whole Armour of God
Paul identifies six primary pieces of armour:
- The Belt of Truth — Ephesians 6:14
- The Breastplate of Righteousness — Ephesians 6:14
- The Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace — Ephesians 6:15
- The Shield of Faith — Ephesians 6:16
- The Helmet of Salvation — Ephesians 6:17
- The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God — Ephesians 6:17
Then comes verse 18:
“Praying always…”
Prayer is not described as another piece of armour in exactly the same grammatical way as the six preceding items. Rather, prayer is the continual spiritual atmosphere, posture, and activity accompanying the wearing and use of the armour.
Prayer is the believer’s continual posture of dependence upon God. It is a lifelong devotion. There is no retirement when it comes to prayer.
Prayer Is More Than Making Requests
Prayer is not simply about getting something from God.
Through prayer, we:
- Remain spiritually alert.
- Receive strength to stand.
- Depend upon God.
- Participate in God’s purposes.
We must not make the mistake of treating prayer as a tool we use only when we need something.
Prayer is about relationship, dependence, fellowship, obedience, and participation in God’s purposes.
God Has Not Sent Us Into Battle Empty-Handed
God has given us the whole armour of God:
- Truth to confront deception.
- Righteousness to guard our hearts.
- The Gospel of Peace to prepare us for our mission.
- Faith to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy.
- Salvation to guard our minds.
- The Word of God as the sword of the Spirit.
And then He tells us:
“Praying always…” — Ephesians 6:18
Prayer is how we continually stand in dependence upon the One who provided the armour.
Knowing about the armour is not enough.
We must exercise it.
When Satan says, “God has abandoned you,” we stand on truth.
When temptation says, “Just compromise this once,” we stand in righteousness.
When fear says, “You cannot do what God has called you to do,” we raise the shield of faith.
When condemnation says, “There is no hope for you,” we remember our salvation in Christ.
When deception says, “This is what God says,” we take up the Word of God and ask:
“What has God actually said?”
And when we do not know what to do, we pray:
“Father, You have promised. You have provided. I trust You. Show me how to stand.”
Prayer Keeps Us Connected
Prayer is not running away from the battle.
Prayer is how we remain connected to God while standing in the battle.
So when Paul says:
“Having done all, to stand.”
— Ephesians 6:13
we are being called to remain in our position even when the battle becomes difficult.
Keep standing in what God has provided.
Keep trusting His Word.
Keep praying.
You don’t fight for the armour; you fight with the armour.
You don’t pray because God has provided nothing; you pray because He has provided everything you need to stand.
The armour gives us what we need to stand.
Prayer keeps us connected to the God who gives us the strength to stand.
How Prayer Connects to Each Piece of the Armour
| Armour | What It Represents | How Prayer Connects |
|---|---|---|
| Belt of Truth | Living according to God’s truth | We pray for discernment and reject deception. |
| Breastplate of Righteousness | Righteousness in Christ and righteous living | We confess, repent, and ask God to keep our hearts right. |
| Shoes of the Gospel of Peace | Readiness to carry the gospel | We pray for opportunities and boldness to proclaim Christ. |
| Shield of Faith | Trusting God against the enemy’s attacks | We bring doubts, fears, and accusations to God and choose faith. |
| Helmet of Salvation | Protection of the mind through the hope of salvation | We pray with our minds anchored in what Christ has accomplished. |
| Sword of the Spirit | The Word of God | We pray Scripture, allowing God’s Word to shape our response. |
| Prayer | Continual dependence upon God | We remain spiritually watchful and dependent on the Spirit. |
Conclusion
The armour of God is God’s provision for the believer to stand.
But prayer is the continual posture through which we remain dependent upon God, receive strength, stay spiritually alert, and exercise the armour He has given us.
So, pray always.
Pray when you are strong.
Pray when you are weak.
Pray when you know what to do.
Pray when you do not know what to do.
Pray in faith.
Pray according to God’s Word.
Pray in the Spirit.
And having done all, stand.
The armour gives you what you need to stand. Prayer keeps you connected to the God who gives you the strength to stand.
Watch Sermon:
https://www.youtube.com/live/JvkD7U769Ik?si=ysTssE8KSRCeBWg8