Warfare

​ ESV18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

D. Prayer

E. Context

a. Praying in the spirit is directly tied to the armor of God:

1. how might we use the whole armor of God in prayer?

2. recap:

i. girding up o sincere motives

ii. breastplate o just actions

iii. shoes o the Gospel of Peace

iv. shield o Faith

v. helmet of Salvation

vi. God’s word in the hands of H.S.- by praying in the spirit we r allowing the spirit to wield God’s word attacking & defending against the enemy! II. BODY

A. Our Battlefield is prayer

​ ESV18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

a. Praying in the spirit is communing with the spirit as we pray

1. the word “in” indicates communing & maintaining connection w/the spirit

i. Ask the H.S. to engage w/u as u begin to pray; to guide ur prayers

ii. imagine the H.S. filling u like an empty glass

b. Praying in the spirit is depending on God’s Spirit for help

​ ESV26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

i. we engage the H.S. in our prayer life and we find ourselves praying in the spirit (part o praying in tongues)

-this is often called prayer language

*illust. - My baptism in H.S.

~Didn’t know what to pray for

~started praying in english, next thing i know I’m praying in a diff. language

~Spirit was interceding for my aunt & uncle through me

c. Praying in the spirit includes using God’s word

​ ESV17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

1. God’s word is the Spirit’s sword which we co-wield 2gether

i. As we pray, God may bring to mind scriptures that we include in our prayer which is like wielding a sword against the enemy!

ii. What are we praying for?

d. A great opportunity to engage in spiritual warfare: Prayer night 2night!

B. Areas for praying are prayer & provision

a. no clear diff. btwn prayer & supplication

1. prayer: communicating & contending in partnership w/ God2. supplication: seeking provision, needs, etc.

i. How do we know what to pray for?

- part o why we commune w/the spirit: He will bring some1/thing 2 mind (back 2 romans vs’s)

-We do have a part to play in this though:

C. Steadfastly keep alert

a. Illust. when on watch in the navy 90% boring, 10% scary

1. during the 90% we needed to stay alert so we wouldn’t be taken by surprise by the other 10%

2. specific: midwatch saw a boat getting closer & closer. called over next door, etc.

b. keep alert by keeping a bible in 1 hand & the “newspaper” in the other (richard foster celebrating disciplines)

1. keep ur eye on current events

2. ask God what he thinks about said current events;

3. search the scriptures;

4. let the spirit guide u on how to pray against the schemes o the devil;

5. consider how these events might be affecting other Christians involved;

i. do battle on their behalf & ask God to meet whatever needs they might have

ii. this is where the next part o vs comes in “To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

D. Our prayer is for all the saints

a. what is the contents of our prayers? - yes we can/should pray for personal needs… but

1. is our prayer life dominated by our own personal struggles & worries?

2. R we constantly wrapped up w/our personal desires?

b. Our prayers should also be focused on others as well (in this context: fellow Christians) - how? keep alert

1. Some good tools:

i. look through ur friends facebook page-when u c ‘em post about their struggles: pray about it right then

ii. regularly check ur email for prayer vine requests (thanks barb)

-It is so important that if u have a prayer need, email Barb to put it on the prayer vine

*how can we know what to pray 4 if we don’t share life w/1another

b. We pray that missionaries would have opportunities to present the Gospel of peace as Paul requested

​ ESV19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

1. We must do battle on behalf of our missionaries.

i. They need our help!-living away frm family, frnds, etc.

-living day-to-day on a prayer & faith pledges of others

-in areas that are mostly unchurched where our enemy is encamped

ii. Pray for their:

-that God’s Spirit would give ‘em boldness to proclaim the gospel regardless of opposition

-that God’s Spirit would give ‘em the right words, at the right time & place, for the right reasons!

2. Pray for local church leaders & their families

-pray for us 2 have

*God-given opportunities to proclaim the Gospel boldly

*wisdom 2 lead well

* insight in2 where to lead our people

-that our families would be protected against spiritual attack

E. How might we use the armor o God as we pray in the spirit?a. girded up w/sincere motives in that we r looking not to selfish gain but equipping for God’s callingb. we use faith as we pray for these needs & provision that God is good & faithful, providing as we seek 1st his kingdom & righteousness just like God promises. c. we use scripture as the H.S. brings specific passages to mind while praying for folks. III. PERSONAL REFLECTIONA. On the back o ur notes u’ll find some questionsa. Use these in conjunction with ur notes in ur quiet time with God this week to become more equipped in God’s call on ur life1. How is God calling me to repent regarding ? 2. How is God calling me to engage God’s Spirit in my prayer life?3. What is 1 thing I can do practically to steadfastly keep alert?