As we come to a close in our study of the armor of God today, let's focus
on verse 18 of Ephesians 6 which says:
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
As soldiers in the army of the King of kings, we must be sure that we
keep the lines of communication open with the Captain of our salvation!
We need to get our "orders from Headquarters", amen? What better way
than through prayer and study of the Word of God! Prayer and the Word
of God should never be separated... It is the Holy Spirit who prays in
us, through us and for us. As we search the Word of God prayerfully,
the Spirit of God also makes clear the meaning of the scriptures, thereby
giving us a greater understanding of how to pray, and a clearer understanding
of the direction our lives should take. A wise soldier is a prayerful
soldier, and a prayerful soldier prays wisely! Ladies, we need God's
wisdom in this battle against our enemy the devil! Stay in close communication
with your heavenly Father....
Phil 4:6-7, "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace
of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus."
A soldier dressed in the armor of God ready to do battle would look pretty
silly wearing a worried look on his face, wouldn't he? A soldier dressed
in the armor of God ready for battle would look pretty stupid sleeping
on the job as well.... That's why our verse in Ephesians 6:18 says to
watch and pray. We are not called to waste time worrying, not called
to waste time dozing off in battle - instead, God's children are to be
on sober guard at all times!
1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
That "whom" Satan is seeking is YOU! That "whom" he is seeking is me
too... Ladies, we need to be looking out for one another in this fight!
Tell me when the enemy is creeping up on me unawares, and I'll do the
same for you, amen? How can we do that for one another if we are asleep
spiritually?? The Bible tells us to be vigilant because of the very reason
that Satan wants to devour each and every one of us! He knows of nothing
else to do but be involved in evil activity. If the Bible says Satan
is seeking to devour us, guess what? You know without a shadow of a doubt he
is WATCHING us! Hence, God says that His children must do some watching
of their own.... We are not to be careless Christians, amen? Don't
we warn our children about the kinds of enemies they are to look out for
and hope that they will listen to us? Well, so does God! Watch soberly
for Satan, dear lady.
Let me ask you this question: Is there ever a time you are not susceptible
to temptation or Satan's attacks? If you answered 'no', you are right!
Then if this is the case, should there ever be a time when you and I are
not found watching and praying??
1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing."
It is obvious that the scriptures point out that we are to persevere in
prayer. How are you doing in your prayer life, soldier lady? Don't stop,
don't give up, don't lose hope - pray without ceasing! Persevere! Keep
on praying until the Spirit stops you or until the Lord answers you!
I wonder how many times we quit praying when help was just around the
corner.... We are to stay in this fight of faith on our knees, amen?
At our house, we tease our youngest son Luke who likes to report on the
other members of the family if they prayed with their eyes open. I'll
ask him the obvious question, "How could you know who had their eyes open
during prayer if yours weren't open too?" "Awwww, Mom!", he answers.
But there is a spiritual application here.... We may think it is wrong
to pray with our eyes open, but spiritually speaking, our eyes should
be open in prayer! That's what our verse in Ephesians 6:18 is actually
telling us to do - "praying always ....and watching thereunto..."
Praying with your eyes open means praying wisely in this fierce battle
we are engaged in. It is becoming intensely aware of the strategy that
the enemy is using on us, and others, and praying for strength and wisdom
to outsmart Satan! Are your eyes open today to the various ways that
the devil is seeking after you? Are your eyes open today to the various
ways that the devil is seeking after your loved ones, your church family
members etc.? Are you praying for them, watching out for them as a good
soldier should? How open are you to a fellow soldier approaching you
with concern over your walk with the Lord in a particular area?? Are
you defensive and prideful or thankful for their input and honesty? A
surprise attack has defeated more than one believer who forgot to watch
and pray.... I hope that doesn't happen to you - or me!
Remember ladies, our heavenly Father has not intended that we go into this
battle alone. We need the Lord's help and the help of one another in
striving against the devil and his workers. God has provided us both...
Let's stand together in this fight of faith and be careful to encourage
and exhort one another daily. Count it a privilege to be a part of the
army of God and do right...
Ezekiel 37:10, "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came
into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great
army."
Dress for success daily by wearing every piece of your Victory Outfit!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
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