by Jerry Senn
Paul had just written powerfully about the “full armor of God,” which believers “put on” to defeat the devil’s efforts to destroy our souls.
- Stand firm with the belt of truth around our waist.
- Stand firm with the breastplate of righteousness in place.
- Stand firm with feet fitted with the gospel of peace.
- Take up the shield of faith, your trust in God.
- Taking the helmet of salvation & sword of the Spirit, God’s Word.
He concludes his remarks by saying, “God’s word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open, keep other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out” (Ephesians 6:17, 18, MSG).
Somehow, the simple act of prayer links an infinite God to a finite man. When man prays, God responds. Difficult situations change. Unexplained miracles occur.
“In prayer you align yourselves to the purpose and power of God and He is able to do things through you that He couldn’t do otherwise. For this is an open universe, where some things are left open, contingent upon our doing them. If we do not do them, they will never be done, for God has left certain things open to prayer—things which will never be done except as we pray.”
E Stanley Jones
“Therefore, brothers, since you have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a Great High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.”
—Hebrews 10:19-22
Paul’s prayer for brothers and sisters he loved:
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
—Philippians 1:9-11, RSV
“Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.”