We were reading Ephesians 6:10-20 in the Wednesday Morning Men's Group. I noticed in Ephesians that prayer was central to our struggle against the cosmic powers. In Ephesians, prayer did not have a metaphor of a piece of armor tied to it. Paul wrote that prayer was our primary weapon and our main defense in our struggle. In the following passage, I put in bold the part of the passage that dealt with prayer.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10-20, ESV)
In Peter T. O'Brien's commentary:
The Letter to the Ephesians, he states the following about the importance of prayer in our struggle with the present darkness.
Prayer is given greater prominence within the context of the battle with the powers of darkness than any of the weapons listed in vv. 14-17... Paul wants his readers to understand that prayer is 'foundational for the deployment of all the other weapons', and is therefore crucial if they are to stand firm in their spiritual struggle. He has already shown his concern for them by praying that they might know the greatness of God's power (1:15-23), and be strengthened by it so as to grasp the dimensions of Christ's love for them and be filled with all the fulness of God (3:14-21). The apostle wants them to realize that a life of dependence on God in prayer is essential if they are to engage successfully in their warfare with the powers of darkness. (p. 483-484, Peter. T. O'Brien)
We are in a battle of cosmic proportions. We are commanded to pray continually. (xref. 1 Thess. 5:17). To pray continually, we need to keep alert as for what we need to pray. Here's O'Brien again,
Believers are to pray continually because their struggle with the powers of darkness is never ending. And their prayers are to be 'in or by the Spirit', that is, inspired and guided by the same Holy Spirit through whom they have confident access to the Father (2:18). As those who have been built into God's dwelling place in the Spirit (2:22) and who are being filled by the Spirit (5:18), they are to pray to the Father, prompted and guided by the Spirit. This is not a reference to praying in tongues, since not all christians are expected to engage in such prayer, but has to do with specific requests offered through the Spirit by every believer involved in spiritual warfare. Even when we do know what pray as we ought, the Spirit comes to our assistance and intercedes for us with unspoken groanings that are perfectly in line with the will of God (lit. 'according to God', Rom. 8:26-27). (pp. 484-485)
No comments:
Post a Comment