STAND: STAND in PRAYER and PERSERVERANCE

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20. For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

Introduction

Standing firm isn’t a one-time moment of courage—it’s a daily rhythm of prayerful dependence. Prayer is what keeps us alert, connected, and spiritually alive in the midst of the battle. If we want to endure in faith and help others do the same, we must be a people who fight not just with armor, but with unceasing prayer and relentless perseverance.

Over the past three weeks, we’ve been learning what it means to stand—not in fear, not in our own strength, but fully equipped by God.

● In Week 1, we learned to stand in God’s strength, where surrender—not striving—is the starting line of spiritual stability.

● In Week 2, we stood anchored in truth and righteousness, protected at our core by who God is and who He says we are.

● In Week 3, we put on the rest of the armor—shoes of readiness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit—realizing that we’re not defenseless in the fight. God has given us everything we need.

But here’s the surprising part: Paul doesn’t end the passage with a weapon in hand or a triumphant charge forward. He ends it on his knees—with prayer.

Why? Because all the armor in the world is powerless without connection to the One who gives it strength.

You can be dressed for battle and still be spiritually weak if you're not dependent on God.

Prayer is not the afterthought—it’s the lifeline. The posture of victory isn’t just standing—it’s also kneeling.

Paul’s final word is not about fighting harder—it’s about leaning deeper. Not striving more, but staying connected. Because the strongest warrior is the one who never stops praying.

Stand in Prayer and Perseverance

I. Prayer Keeps You Connected to the Source

Paul said that we should pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (NIV) —Ephesians 6:18

After walking us through the full armor of God, Paul doesn’t move on to a new topic—he moves deeper into the heart of the battle. And that heart is prayer. Because armor without power is just decoration. Prayer is what keeps the armor active, empowered, and effective. It's not a last resort. It's a lifeline back to the giver of life himself.

Prayer isn’t reserved for crisis moments. Paul says to pray “on all occasions”—in the everyday, the mundane, the joyful, the confusing, the painful. Prayer is how we stay connected to the Source of all strength, wisdom, peace, and guidance.

Jesus put it plainly in John 15: 4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If we’re not abiding, we’re not advancing. If we’re not connecting, we’re not conquering. Prayer is what keeps us aligned with God’s heart and attentive to His voice. It shifts our focus from self-reliance to Spirit-dependence.

That’s what Paul means when he says to pray “in the Spirit.” He’s not prescribing a formula or a certain emotional state—he’s describing a posture of surrender, sensitivity, and spiritual attentiveness. To pray in the Spirit is to lean into the presence of God with openness and trust, letting the Spirit guide your prayers, your perspective, and your priorities.

And it’s not optional. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

Not because God needs constant reminders—but because we do. When we stop praying, we start drifting. When we stop seeking, we start striving. When we disconnect from the Source, we lose clarity, power, and peace.

Prayer is what grounds your soul in every season. It’s how you fight the invisible battle with an unshakable foundation. Prayer Keeps You Connected to the Source

II. Prayer Keeps You Spiritually Awake

Verse 18 says, "With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying…” Paul doesn’t just say to pray—he says to be alert and pray. That’s a military term, a watchman’s command. Stay awake. Keep your eyes open. Be vigilant. We don’t just need prayer when things go wrong—we need prayer to see what’s really happening, to discern the movement of both God and the enemy in our lives.

Jesus gave this same charge to His disciples in the garden in Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The moment they stopped praying, they started sleeping. And when the pressure came, they scattered. Peter, who was once spiritually asleep in that garden, later learned the value of staying alert. He wrote in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

You won’t recognize the battle if you’re spiritually drowsy. That’s why prayer is essential—it’s your spiritual caffeine. It wakes up your soul. It sharpens your awareness.

“No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing. The people who are not praying are straying.”

Prayer doesn’t just keep you grounded; it keeps you awake. Without it, even the strongest believer becomes vulnerable. Prayer Keeps You Spiritually Awake.

III. Prayer Is a Weapon for Others, Not Just Yourself

Verse 18 reads, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

Paul closes this verse with a powerful reminder: prayer is not a private discipline only for personal strength—it’s a shared weapon in a collective battle. The fight of faith is not a solo mission; it’s a community effort. That’s why Paul doesn’t say, “keep praying for yourself.” He says, “keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

When you pray for others:

● You fight battles they may not even know they’re in.

● You stand in the gap when they feel too weak to pray.

● You carry one another’s burdens into the presence of God.

This is the ministry of intercession. To intercede is to enter the fight for someone else—to lift them up, cover them, plead for them. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for someone is to pray for them behind their back.

James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

It’s easy to talk about people—especially when they’re struggling. But spiritual maturity calls us to talk to God on their behalf, not just to others about their problems.

Prayer is not a passive act—it’s spiritual warfare. When you intercede for someone else, you’re stepping into their battle with your armor on.

Who in your life needs you to fight for them in prayer right now? A friend? A spouse? A child? A neighbor? A pastor? Don’t just think about them. Don’t just feel for them. Stand in the gap for them. Prayer Is a Weapon for Others, Not Just Yourself

IV. Prayer Fuels Boldness in the Mission

Paul ends the armor passage with a very personal request:

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, —Ephesians 6:19

Paul was no stranger to persecution or pressure. He had faced beatings, imprisonment, slander, and opposition—and yet his request isn’t for safety, but for boldness. He knew this truth: the mission of God moves forward on the prayers of His people.

When we pray, we’re not just fueling personal devotion—we’re fueling divine momentum. Prayer keeps the gospel flame burning when the winds of fear or discouragement try to blow it out.

Prayer sustains courage in the face of resistance. It unlocks boldness when silence feels safer. It empowers ordinary people to speak an extraordinary message.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” — James 5:16  “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” — Colossians 4:2

You’re not just praying for comfort or clarity—you’re praying for courage:

● Courage to keep proclaiming truth in a culture that prefers lies.

● Courage to love boldly when it's easier to withdraw.

● Courage to step out in obedience when you feel overwhelmed.

So here’s the question: Whose boldness are you praying for this week? Your pastor? A missionary? A young believer stepping into leadership? Like Paul, they may be one prayer away from their next breakthrough. Prayer Fuels Boldness in the Mission

Conclusion

We’ve come to the end of this this series on STAND--but the real battle is still being fought. So, here’s the final challenge:

● Stand strong in the Lord’s mighty power—because your strength alone isn’t enough.

● Stand protected in the armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word.

● Stand connected through prayer—not just for yourself, but for the people around you.

● And stand bold in your mission—because the gospel is worth proclaiming, even when it’s hard.

Remember: The armor gets you dressed—but prayer keeps you engaged. Victory doesn’t come by effort alone, but by dependence—on the One who equips you and fights for you. You were never meant to stand alone. You were never meant to fight unarmed. And you were never meant to pray only for yourself. So, take your stand—and don’t stop standing. Keep standing.

If haven’t already done this build a rhythm of prayer and pray with perseverance—not just for yourself, but for others.

Pray throughout the day—morning, noon, and evening. Pause and pray intentionally to connect with God.

● Pray for other people daily: someone close to you, someone hurting, and someone leading. ● You can pray this simple each day: “God, keep me standing. Keep me alert. Keep me close in Jesus' name”

 You have what you need. The armor is yours. The Spirit is with you. And the battle is the Lord’s. Now go—and stand firm.

Let’s pray together. “Lord, make me a person of prayer. Keep me spiritually awake. Strengthen my heart to persevere. Teach me to fight on my knees—for my life, and for the lives of those around me. Help me to stand and never stop standing.”