The Armor of God (Part 5)

INTRO:

Time to Suit Up:

The Belt of Truth (v14a)—Satan will attempt to fill us w/lies. We must have our foundation laid with the truth of Jesus and the Word of God.

The Belt of Truth (v14a)—Satan will attempt to fill us w/lies. We must have our foundation laid with the truth of Jesus and the Word of God.

The Breastplate of Righteousness (v14b)—Satan wants to make accusations against us. Our defense is the righteousness we possess (Positional & Practical).

The Breastplate of Righteousness (v14b)—Satan wants to make accusations against us. Our defense is the righteousness we possess (Positional & Practical).

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (v15)—We have “Peace w/God” through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We are to daily remind ourselves that God loves us, God saved us, God has forgiven us, etc.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (v15)—We have “Peace w/God” through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We are to daily remind ourselves that God loves us, God saved us, God has forgiven us, etc.

The Shield of Faith (v16)—This is not a saving faith, but a daily trust, reliance on Jesus. It is a daily reminder that our God is in control!

The Shield of Faith (v16)—This is not a saving faith, but a daily trust, reliance on Jesus. It is a daily reminder that our God is in control!

Prayer is the energy that enables the Christian soldier to wear the armor and wield the sword. We cannot fight the battle in our own power, no matter how strong or talented we may think we are.

Q: This morning we are going to answer the question: How are we to pray?

Prayer is the energy that enables the Christian soldier to wear the armor and wield the sword. We cannot fight the battle in our own power, no matter how strong or talented we may think we are.

I) Pray Frequently

Paul tells us to “pray at all times!” I don’t believe this needs much explanation. It simply means, “Always be in communion with the Lord. Never hang up the phone!”

This is a common theme throughout the NT.

Jesus said, “When you pray” not “And if you pray” ()

Paul writes, “Pray without ceasing” ()

Paul said, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” ()

The problem is many people view prayer like this fisherman

“A fisherman was at sea with his godless companions when a storm came up and threatened to sink their ship. His friends begged him to pray; but he said, ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve done that or even entered a church.’ At their insistence, however, he finally cried out, ‘O Lord, I haven’t asked anything of You in 15 years, and if You help us now and bring us safely to land, I promise I won’t bother You again for another 15!”

We are not to take the strategy of the fisherman. Instead, we are to pray at all times!

Why? A Christian must “pray at all times” because he is always subject to temptations and attacks of the devil.

Why? A Christian must “pray at all times” because he is always subject to temptations and attacks of the devil.

How many of us experienced a surprise attack by Satan?

What does your prayer life look like? Does it look like the fisherman, or does it look like Jesus?

Have Schedule and Spontaneous prayer times in your life!

II) Pray Fervently

Paul is teaching us that we are to pray in line with “the will of God!” The Will of God is found in the Word of God.

In addition, we are to pray all types of prayers. Jesus teaches us this in the Lord’s Prayer, but what consists of all prayer. Let me give you an acronym of ACTS.

Adoration

Always begin by adoring God! Start by praising and worshipping God for “Who He is” and “What He has done!”

Jesus teaches this in “Model Prayer”— “Our Father in Heaven Hallowed be thy name.”

Can we praise Him for “Who He is?”

He is Loving, Gracious, Merciful, Holy, All-knowing, All-powerful, unchanging,

Can we praise Him for “What He has done?”

Confession

This is where we confess our sin to God.

Sin hinders our fellowship with God—Prayer offered by a Christian harboring sin is like a plane without wings, a car without wheels or a boat without a rudder. Make no mistake about it—God wants to hear our prayer but flagrant disregard for the commandments of God will quickly stop His ear.

Our God is a holy God and prayer is the vehicle that God has given us to approach Him. Indeed, prayer offered by a Christian harboring sin is like a plane without wings, a car without wheels or a boat without a rudder. Make no mistake about it—God wants to hear our prayer but flagrant disregard for the commandments of God will quickly stop His ear.

God forgives us of our Sin— “If we confess our sins he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” ().

Thanksgiving

We need to stop and thank God! We need to thank Him for all His grace and mercies.

Supplication

We come to God with our needs. The Lord has told us to “Cast all of our Cares upon Him.”

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We should intercede for Others

Ex: Paul asked if the believer could pray for him to proclaim the Gospel boldly!

Are you praying for others?

Salvation for the Lost

Sickness of an individual

Sanctification of the believer

Are you spending time in prayer for others?

III) Pray Vigilantly

We are to pray vigilantly, because Satan is trying to devour us.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told Peter that he would deny him three times. Peter responded I will never deny you.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Peter continued to sleep and denied Jesus three times

Are you watching out? Are you praying?

CONCLUSION

We are at War, and Satan is attacking.

One of the reason we are so beat up is because we are not prayed up!

We need to rely on the strengthen of God. It happen by faith through prayer!