Offensive Prayer Series

Background to passage: wrapping up the spiritual warfare passage following the filled with the Spirit passage.

Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV

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.

Opening illustration: Story of the missionary in Africa who made a two day trip into the jungle for ministry and medicine for years. The guy in Michigan moved to gather friends and pray for him. The 26 guards that were present at camp that night. “We cannot know what prayer is for until we know that life is war. Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is certainly that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den. God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world.” (Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad, 41)

Main thought: Two aspects of prayer as an offensive weapon

1) Corporate Offensive (v. 18-19)

Ephesians 6:18–19 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,

and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

1) Corporate Offensive (v. 18-19)

Explanation: Intercessory prayer has differing aspects/applications, but if we think of them as offensive weapons, it completely changes your perspective. We typically think of three kinds: 1) for one another. Think of it as praying against spiritual attacks, praying against besetting sins, praying against schemes, praying against people coming against them, praying for them to overcome, praying for them when they are under attack.

2) Evangelistic prayer. For our friends and family is normal and easy. What about our neighbors. Bless Every Home. 60K people in LaGrange living far from God.

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3) Global prayer. I won’t take time to talk about the 5 billion who need Christ, the 1500 people groups who need to know about/know Jesus. However, Spurgeon says that prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscles of omnipotence.

Argumentation: this kind only comes out by prayer, Mark 9, “I have prayed for you” John 21

Illustration: Bless Every Home. Les Cox, Terry, Don Pirkle, “A new testament church is a praying church. Not just a church that has a prayer meeting, not just a church that has a few prayer warriors behind it, but a church that has a regular practice of coming together with urgent and intense prayer.” -Ingram

Application: Pray with spiritual warfare in mind for your brothers and sisters. Satan wants to destroy lives, thus the church. We must protect our brothers and sisters with prayer. Don’t simply pray a list of things for better health and a more comfortable lifestyle.

Everyone sign up for Bless Every Home. Pray for your 30 closest neighbors five per day.

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Steps

Go to blesseveryhome.com

Click the red “Sign-up” at the bottom of the page

After clicking “No”, fill in your info, including our church

Confirm your email when it comes to your inbox

What if we all could pray five of our closest 30 neighbors a little closer to the kingdom. Pray against the kingdom of darkness in your neighbors lives to be thwarted and pray that the blindness upon their eyes would be lifted. Pray for the believers to be covered.