The Real Battle

Ephesians 6:10–20 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

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I was reflecting upon this passage actually as I was thinking about the Garden of Gethsemane and how Peter, James and John all fell asleep as the Lord was in distress about what was about to occur. But it is interesting just how unaware they were of the battle that was really going on. tells us how they repeatedly fell asleep, Jesus even woke them up and said “can you not even watch with me one hour?”

I know that the street pastors are no strangers to staying awake for the work of God, and how easy would it be just to go off and get sleep as soon as you get tired. The garden would have been a very quiet and peaceful place at that time of night, and the disciples no doubt would not have fully anticipated the ‘kerfuffle’ and unrest that was going to happen in the garden that night. There was no doubt a battle going on in the heavenlies and yet in the quietness of the garden, Peter, James and John were lured into the error of thinking that they could have a quick nap.

The interesting is though is that while Jesus was in agony with the knowledge of the coming crucifixion, it was always the will of God that it happen. But over the next 24 hours and even over the coming days the disciples faith was really tested and there were failings among them. So in light of this we see how important it was when Jesus said to them to keep watch and pray. And one of the most critical times for the disciples was not so much in all the busyness but actually in the quietness of the garden.

Ephesians 6:18–19 NKJV

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:18–20 ESV

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, 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.

So we see here in Ephesians that it is not only

So we see here in Ephesians that it is not only

So we see here in Ephesians that it is not only important for the spiritual battle that we face that we be continuously engaged in prayer, but it is also vital for our own ability stand that we be prayerful at all times. Even Paul there hero of our faith says to the Ephesians here that needs their prayers that he may boldly proclaim the gospel.

So whether we are in the midst of great urgency or whether it appears that we have some calm, may we be mindful of the real battle and be prayerful at all times.