Praying Always

Ephesians 6:18-20

We have completed the Whole Armor of God.

We’ve looked at,

The Belt of Truth

Breastplate of Righteousness

Shoes of the Preparation of The Gospel

Shield of Faith

The Helmet of Salvation

The Sword of The Spirit

Today we are going to to look at,

not another piece of the Armor....

rather, what gives us the strength to fight with our armor.

Read text and pray.

So we have our whole armor that God has provided us.

we understand the truth about God and His word

We are living Godly lives

We are ready to tell the world the Gospel

Faith that God will protect and provide

We know we are saved, how and why

We have Gods word, a defensive weapon

but now what?!

We have the armor.

Armor is heavy and takes lots of work!

We now need strength!

We need energy.

We really only have access to God’s armor through salvation and Godly living.

But, the main thing that keeps us Christians going is prayer.

Without prayer we cant be saved.

without prayer we, aren't communicating with God!

We wont know how to use our armor

we wont know how to go through battle

We wont have the energy!

So how does Paul say we should pray?

v18a

“Praying Always”

He isn’t saying to literally walk around praying non stop.

That would be impossible.

But we should do everything prayerfully!

Pray about everything, for everything.

mom & dad

school

temptation

fear

safety

approach everything you do in life in prayer!!

“Pray with all Prayer”

There is more than one type of prayer.

simply talking to God

asking for things

asking about things

Praising God for thing

We need to do more than just ask God for things.

If we never told our parents we loved them and thanked them.

And only asked or things that would get old.

We need to have all kinds of prayer to God.

“In the Spirit”

What does that mean?!

Paul is simply saying that,

if we aren’t living like we should,

our prayers are not getting through to God.

We have to be living right “in the Spirit” in order for the lord to hear our prayers

OT example of incense

had to be just right

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: You’re in the Army Now! (Ephesians 6:10–24)

The incense is a picture of prayer. It had to be mixed according to God’s plan and could not be counterfeited by man. The fire on the altar is a picture of the Holy Spirit, for it is He who takes our prayers and “ignites” them in the will of God.

We have to be living right and listening to God’s will!

“Watching Thereunto”

We have to be alert!

If solders had all their gear and armor, but

didn't pay attention.....

They would get defeated!!

It is the same for us Christians!

We have to be on alert for Satan!

Know what makes you want to do wrong, and

avoid those things.

God gives us mind to use!

Eyes to see

Ears to hear

We have to use our senses and minds to be on alert.

If someone is watching something bad, stop!

If someone is listening to bad music, stop!

You know the bad things that you like.

So watch and pray that God will help you avoid those things!

“With all Perseverance”

Paul is saying here, to not quit!

Perseverance simply means: “to stick to it and don’t give up”

When life seems like its too hard.

keep praying!

Maybe it seems like God isn’t answering your prayers

Keep praying!!

God is in charge,

His timing for everything is perfect!

example of quitting ATL

Myself, I’m very impatient.

But God knows,

He has a plan.

And we may give up right before he is about to give us His blessings.

Bro. Wayne always says “sweep the room your in and God will give you a bigger room”

He’s saying whatever your doing for God keep doing it!

It may seem long,

it may not be what you want.

But keep on praying and bing faithful to God, and

He WILL bless. you.

NEVER give up!!

“For all Saints”

Finally Paul is saying,

Pray for each other!

We are in this battle of life and against the Devil together!

We should pray together and for each other.

Remember each others prayer request.

Remember each others names.

I pray for yall!

I want you all to be saved

I want you all to live for God

I want God to bless you all so much!

I truly pray for those things for you!

You all need to (even at your age) pray for each other!

We must be faithful in praying for each other!

Closing

So in this one verse Paul has told us what it takes to have to strength to fight!

PRAYER!

Pray always

with all prayer

in the Spirit

watching

never giving up

for each other