It is easy to assume that Paul ended the list of God’s armor with the sword of the Spirit. But if we stop there, we will overlook the most powerful weapon available to us. It is God’s almost forgotten weapon. What is it? Prayer (see Ephesians 6:18).
Most Christians wouldn’t suggest that prayer is unimportant. Yet it’s often overlooked as part of the armor of God; it’s frequently neglected as a weapon. It may be forgotten because we wonder how it fits in with armor. The Roman soldiers didn’t pray, right? True, but the Christian doesn’t use literal swords, breastplates and girdles. Paul is referring to something that no successful army is without. It is not always seen as a weapon, but battles are won or lost depending on how, or if, it is used: It is communication.
While good communication doesn’t mean you’ll win every battle, bad communications typically spells defeat. Many spiritual battles are also lost because of poor communication. To ensure spiritual victories in our lives, we need to understand this weapon of communication, and how it is used properly.
First, Paul advises, “And pray in the Spirit.” The word “and” shows us that Paul wasn’t finished with the sword. In addition to the other pieces of armor, we must also pray. Romans 8:26 says, “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.” Just like when studying God’s word, we rely on the Holy Spirit when we pray. The most wonderful thing is that the Holy Spirit reads our hearts. So even when we don’t know exactly what to say or how to say it he knows what we mean—we just need to pray. The Spirit takes our hearts’ desires and presents them before the Throne of God. He is our connection to the Commander-in-Chief.
Furthermore, Paul says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions.” This isn’t saying that we need to be on our knees all day long as if we have nothing better to do—we do have a battle going on! However, we are instructed, as Paul puts it in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to “pray without ceasing.” This means leaving the walkie-talkie on—keeping an open line of communication on between us and Heaven—always ready to send and ready to receive.
This allows us to be able to follow the next instruction: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” There are different kinds of prayers: public and private, planned and sudden, solemn and joyful. There are different types of requests as well. But before you start pulling out a wish list for God to fulfill, understand what Paul is saying: this is not meant for us to treat God like Santa Claus, it is us realizing who our enemy is, what we lack, and that God is our only source for victories.
Prayer is our way of calling for reinforcements. Did you know that all of Heaven’s resources are waiting to be delivered so that God’s glory can be revealed in our lives? Sadly though, sometimes legions of angels are waiting to be deployed but aren’t; sometimes showers of blessings are ready to fall but are are never felt; sometimes we could have victory but instead see defeat. Why? Because we do not ask (faulty communication). It is vital that we keep an open connection with God. It is then that we are able to pray in all occasions, all kinds of prayers and requests.
Of course, we are pretty good at the sending part of communication but what about the receiving part? Have you ever noticed: when soldiers are gathered around a commanding officer, who does the most talking? Definitely not the soldier! As a matter of fact, when they are receiving instructions during a battle, they are silent. Why is it, then, that we think we are to do all the talking during prayer? In battle, the most valuable part of communication is listening. In fact, if you haven’t listened, you haven’t communicated.
Unfortunately, I don’t think we allow ourselves much opportunity to listen. Our days are filled with so much work, so much activity, and so much “noise.” We wonder why we’re not able to hear God speaking to us, yet we never really give Him our attention. If everything around you is LOUD, how can you hear God’s still, small voice? If you can’t hear His voice, how can He communicate? He can speak through His Word, through another person, through nature, and He may speak directly—but you still have to be listening.
Then, once you hear God, what will you do with what you hear? How much more power could Christ have in our cities, in our churches, in our lives, if we not only called on Him, but listened to, and obeyed, His instructions for us? Our enemy would have no chance!
Friends, prayer is a powerful weapon. There are no alternatives. Man may encourage you to trivialize it. Satan will try to get you to forget about it. Why? Because he has no defenses against the prayers of God’s people. Because, when you pray, the Creator draws near to you. Because, when you pray, thousands of angel-reinforcements fly to your aid. Because, when you pray, heaven’s floodgates are opened. Because, when you pray, God reveals His plan for victory. And when you listen and obey, nothing can keep you from victory!