Ephesians 6:18 AMP
[18] With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.
We come to the final bit of the armour. Some may point out that this does not address any part of the body, but as we know from past devotions on this armour, the armour is more spiritual than physical, with the parts laid out the way they are for ease of understanding. There is no part that can be dispensed with, and it is also important to engage the help of the Holy Spirit in taking on these parts and applying them for impact and effect. This is where praying in the Spirit comes into good effect. The simple definition of prayer is "to commune with God". As the verse above lays out quite clearly, you go to God with specific requests, at all times and in all seasons.
There is no way I can keep at this without the help of the Spirit. There is no way I can be motivated to sustain this practice if there is no benefit for me. Prayer makes it clear that I need the help of One who is stronger, wiser and greater than me, and I am not ashamed to ask for His help. Prayer also means surrender to and embrace of the will of the One whom I am praying to. Prayer should not be the time to lay out my complaints, without seeking out God's will for the situations I face. What will be the point of going to God with my cares and burdens, if I will still pick up the same burdens after I pray, and log them around? I pray because I know God is capable of help that I cannot get anywhere else. Why pray, if I will not submit to His will, or do what He commands?
Everything that goes on in and around me must be the subject of prayer. The verse above asks me to stay alert with all perseverance and petition. That is also the hallmark of a soldier on guard. You watch out for the enemy, but you are also ready to engage the weapons provided. You are alert and ready at all times. Again, this is only possible when the help of the Spirit is fully engaged. Human effort is a waste and a drain because the war is a long one; one that must be fought for as long as this human phase exists. There is no demilitarised zone; at no time can you say the battle is over until you are either called home, or the Lord returns at rapture. Depend on God totally; He is the Man of War, and He will sustain us to the end, as we seek His help with the help of His Spirit. God's time of favour is here.
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