The Power of Prayer
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Ephesians 6:18
Read Luke 11:5-13
We have reviewed the whole armour of God. Every piece has its purpose
and is important; not one piece may be missing. The complete armour is
necessary for defence and offense. Time and again, Paul pointed out the
necessity of putting on or using a particular piece of armour. Someone who
has a helmet but doesn’t wear it receives no benefit from it. Whoever owns
a shield but does not hide behind it is an easy target for the enemy’s arrows.
Therefore it is essential that we put on every part of the Christian armour.
This is what Paul also advises in the last verses of our chapter. The question
of how to perform these tasks is answered by him with the following word:
prayer. Prayer is the means by which the armour is employed; without it,
nothing will go right. Through prayer, we receive everything we need to remain
standing. The Lord only gives this heavenly blessing through the way
of prayer. Prayer is therefore indispensable; it is purposeful. Ask, and it shall
be given you—if you ask according to His will. Often we would prefer to tell
the Lord exactly what we would like, but before you go to the Lord in prayer,
consider what God’s desire is for you. He seeks your conversion. His desire
is that you live to His honour; His will is that His Spirit would rule your life.
Those who pray according to God’s will shall never be ashamed. His honour
is at stake. The following command is valid and also true today: “Open wide
thy mouth…” (Psalter 431:4).
Thought: To pray is to beg, to praise, to supplicate, to give thanks.
Psalter 431:1,4 (based on Psalm 81)
Unto God our King, Joy and Strength of Israel,
Lofty anthems sing; Glorious are His ways,
To His Name give praise With the harp and timbrel.
“Open,” saith the Lord, “Wide thy mouth, believing
This My covenant-word: ‘I will, if thou plead,
Fill thine every need, All thy wants relieving.’”
