Learning To Use God’s Armor and Prayer

In review of Ephesians 6:12-13 it says, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”

Bottom Line:

Our struggle is not against mere flesh and blood but rather against evil beings in an unseen world. To combat this use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy when he attacks.

What this means to me:

I’m not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against those without bodies, the evil rulers of an unseen world, mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule in the spirit world. I’m told to use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy when he attacks, so that when it’s over I can remain standing.

Paul's final words in his letter to the Ephesians tells them (and me) to use God's Armor in order to protect ourselves from the enemies attacks. He tells me to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. I am to put on all of God's armor so that I will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the enemy. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but rather against evil rulers and authorities of an unseen world, powers in a dark world, and against evil spirits in heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so that I will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle I'll be able to stand firm. Paul also tells me to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. I'm to stay alert and be persistent in my prayers for all believers everywhere.

Because I follow Christ, I'll battle against powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the Satan himself, who is vicious fighter. In order to withstand their attacks, I must depend on God's strength and use every piece of his armor. Those who are not "flesh and blood" are real demons over whom Satan has control. They are not mere fantasies, but are very real. I'm facing a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ's church. When I first believed in Christ, these beings became my enemy, and they will try every device to turn me away from him and back to sin. Although I'm assured of victory, I must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are the Lord's side. I need supernatural power to defeat him, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us.

In order to pray at all times, I can make quick, brief prayers my spiritual habitual response to every situation I come across throughout the day. Another way is to order my life around God's desires and teachings so that my life becomes a prayer. I don't have to isolate myself from others and from daily work in order to pray constantly. I can make prayer my life and my life a prayer while living in a world that needs God's powerful influence. I should also pray for all believers in Christ; so pray for the Christians I know and for the church around the world.

What I do on the ground in prayer controls what happens in the heavens. The Word of God says this. All I need do is ask in Jesus’ name and have faith the size of a mustard seed to watch the mountains of impossibility move in my life.

I also need to keep in mind that I can’t just pray once, but pray again and again. Pray until my need is met. Fight to win! Don’t give up until God give me his answer.