Dolly's Sharing

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)
 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.

Paul highlights prayer as one of the most important yet overlooked aspect of winning our battle. Although prayer is not one of the pieces of the armour of God, yet Paul closes his list by saying to pray at all times. Victory in spiritual warfare is inseparable from prayer as it is the means by which we draw spiritual strength from God. One of the best ways to fight Satan’s attacks is to pray!

Without prayer, without reliance upon God, our efforts are empty and futile. Prayer brings us into communion and fellowship with God. It is our lifeline, and it is our connection to God. Without His presence, we are powerless in the fight – we must fight on our knees. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer is like a superpower in our battle against unseen challenges. It acts like a shield, keeping us safe, and a sword, helping us move forward. Prayer is like wrapping ourselves in a big, protective bubble. It keeps away worries, fears, and wrong thoughts that can make us feel weak or lost. It’s how we remind ourselves and the world that God is in charge and His goodness wins. In simple terms, prayer is our way to stay safe and fight back in our spiritual battles.

What is Praying in the Spirit?

Praying in the Spirit is prayer with divine help. It is relying on the Spirit in prayer… praying for things the Spirit leads us as stated in Romans 8:26 – “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.” Some teach that praying in the Spirit is synonymous with praying in tongues, but as tongues is a gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-11), and not a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), hence not every Christian can speak in tongues.

Yet, Paul instructs Christians to “pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6:18). Praying in the Spirit is where the Spirit empowers the prayer – illuminates our minds, moves our hearts and grants a freedom of utterance and liberty of expression. Spirit-led prayer is always backed up by the authority of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit.