The Two-Man Lift
Ephesians 6:14-18; 1 Samuel 38-40
When something is too heavy for you to carry, what do we do? We ask for help, hence – “The Two-Man Lift!” This was a policy where I used to work… Over 50 lbs., get help!!
Knowing that God wants us to pray as if we are fighting and defeating the most real of all enemies, not only in our personal lives but also on behalf of other believers...consider each piece of armour from Ephesians 6:14-18, what is the purpose of the breastplate, shoe, shield, and sword, and how does my prayers fit in with them?
In Ephesians 6:14-18, Paul uses the metaphor of armor to symbolize the spiritual tools and defenses believers need in their battle against evil. Each piece serves a distinct purpose, and prayer weaves through them all as the lifeblood of our spiritual warfare. Here's how each piece ties into your prayers and spiritual journey:
1. Breastplate of Righteousness: The breastplate guards the heart, representing righteousness as a protection against sin and guilt. Prayers of confession, repentance, and alignment with God's will help you put on this breastplate. By seeking His righteousness, you keep your spiritual heart protected from the attacks of shame and temptation.
2. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: The shoes represent readiness and stability, grounded in the peace that comes from the gospel. Prayer equips you with the courage to share your faith and the strength to stand firm in your convictions. Through prayer, you remain steadfast and prepared to walk the path God has for you.
3. Shield of Faith: The shield deflects the fiery darts of doubt, fear, and lies from the enemy. Prayers of faith—declaring trust in God's promises and power—strengthen your grip on this shield. When you pray in faith, you're actively extinguishing the enemy's attacks by leaning on God's truth and provision.
4. Sword of the Spirit: The sword is the Word of God, a weapon to fight back against spiritual forces. Praying with Scripture, using God's promises and truths in your prayers, sharpens this sword. When you declare His Word in prayer, you're wielding the sword to defeat lies and uphold His kingdom.
Prayer is both the glue that holds the armor together and the force that activates it. Paul concludes by urging believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions" (Ephesians 6:18), showing that prayer is the way we engage with God, stand firm, and intercede for others. It's your direct line to Him in the heat of spiritual battle, ensuring each piece of armor is effectively used.
You should see your prayers working alongside this armor in your daily walk?
Dear friends, The Holy Spirit plays a vital and empowering role in helping you put on and use each piece of the armor of God. Here's how:
1. Breastplate of Righteousness: The Holy Spirit works within you to cultivate righteousness, guiding your heart to align with God's will. He convicts you of sin, leads you to repentance, and empowers you to live a life of integrity. His presence ensures your heart remains protected against guilt, shame, and the enemy's accusations.
2. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: The Holy Spirit gives you the courage and wisdom to share the gospel and brings peace to your heart in times of turmoil. He strengthens your walk in faith, ensuring you remain grounded in God's truth and ready to share His message of reconciliation and love.
3. Shield of Faith: The Holy Spirit fortifies your faith, reminding you of God's promises and His unwavering presence. He helps you trust in God's power and love, enabling you to extinguish the fiery darts of fear, doubt, and deception launched by the enemy.
4. Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God): The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture, helping you to understand and apply God's Word effectively. He equips you to wield the sword with confidence, giving you the right words and insights when confronting spiritual battles and standing on God’s truth.
In all of this, prayer is the key to connecting with the Holy Spirit. As you pray, you invite Him to guide, strengthen, and empower you to use this armor effectively. It's through His presence and work in your life that you can stand firm and victorious in the spiritual fight.
The story of David and Goliath is such a powerful metaphor for how God equips us for our unique battles. David rejecting Saul’s armor reminds us that we’re not called to fight in someone else’s strength or methods.
Why Saul’s Armor Was Unfit for David
1 Samuel 17:38-40
New King James Version
38 So Saul clothed David with his [a]armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
• Mismatched Calling: Saul’s armor represented a king’s way of fighting, but David wasn’t yet called to that role. His calling, at that moment, was to fight as a shepherd, relying on God’s provision and the skills he’d honed while protecting his flock.
• Burden of Ill-Fitting Tools: The armor was physically too heavy and unfamiliar. Instead of helping him, it would have hindered him, making him less effective in battle.
How We Remedy This in Our Lives
1. Recognize Your God-Given Strengths: Like David with his sling, each of us has been uniquely equipped by God. Instead of imitating others, lean into the talents, skills, and gifts He’s given you. The Holy Spirit helps you discern and develop these strengths.
2. Resist Comparison: It’s tempting to measure ourselves against others, but Saul’s armor teaches us that someone else’s tools or methods may not be right for us. Trust God to provide what’s best suited for your own journey.
3. Equip Yourself Spiritually: Just as David relied on God rather than physical armor, we need to rely on spiritual tools like prayer, Scripture, and faith. These are our true sources of strength. The Holy Spirit empowers and guides us, enabling us to use these tools effectively.
4. Shed Burdens That Weigh You Down: Saul’s armor is like anything that distracts or hinders us—fear, unrealistic expectations, or even past failures. Through prayer and trust in God, we can lay these burdens aside and move forward freely.
David’s victory came not because of what he carried but because of whom he trusted. In the same way, when we rely on God and His unique plan for our lives, we can face any "giants" with confidence.
Have there been times when you’ve had to let go of something that wasn’t meant for you, in order to step into what God had prepared? The Bible is rich with stories that highlight individuals stepping into their unique calling and relying on God-given strengths. Here are a few powerful examples:
1. Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3-4) Despite his insecurities about speaking and leadership, God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. Moses doubted his abilities, but God empowered him and provided Aaron as his spokesperson. This story reminds us that God's calling is based on His plan, not our perceived qualifications.
2. Gideon and the 300 (Judges 6-7) Gideon initially saw himself as the least in his family and clan, yet God called him to deliver Israel from the Midianites. God instructed Gideon to reduce his army to just 300 men, emphasizing that victory would come through God's strength, not human might. Gideon's obedience demonstrated faith and trust in his unique calling.
3. Esther’s Bold Stand (Book of Esther) Esther, a young Jewish woman, was placed in a position of influence as queen of Persia. When her people faced destruction, she courageously embraced her calling to intercede with the king, saying, “For such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Her unique position and bravery saved her people.
4. Deborah’s Leadership (Judges 4-5) Deborah, a prophetess and judge, was uniquely called to lead Israel during a time of turmoil. She stepped into a leadership role uncommon for women in her time and inspired others, like Barak, to trust God in battle. Her story highlights the importance of stepping confidently into the calling God gives.
5. Paul’s Missionary Journey (Acts 9 and beyond) Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, had a radical encounter with Jesus that transformed his life. God called him to be an apostle to the Gentiles, a mission that leveraged his background, zeal, and intellect in a unique way. Paul’s story shows how God can use anyone, even those with a difficult past, for His purposes.
6. The Boy with the Loaves and Fishes (John 6:1-14) A small boy offered his modest lunch of five loaves and two fish, and Jesus miraculously multiplied it to feed thousands. This story emphasizes how God uses what we offer, no matter how small, for extraordinary purposes.
Each of these stories highlights the importance of trusting God and embracing the unique strengths, circumstances, and callings He places in our lives.
Being unique can be deeply personal with or without words, so how then do I pray in the spirit?
Praying in the Spirit often refers to a deeply personal and spiritual connection with God through prayer. This concept is common in Christian teachings and can have slightly different interpretations depending on one's faith tradition. Here are some steps that many believe can help deepen this kind of prayer:
1. Invite the Holy Spirit: Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer. You might say something like, "Holy Spirit, help me pray according to God's will."
2. Focus on God: Set aside distractions and focus your mind and heart on God's presence. You can do this through worship, reading Scripture, or quiet meditation.
3. Be Open and Sincere: Speak openly and honestly to God about your thoughts, feelings, and needs, trusting that the Spirit will intercede for you, even when you can't find the words.
4. Pray in Tongues (if it aligns with your beliefs): In some Christian traditions, praying in the Spirit is associated with speaking in tongues as a way of yielding to the Holy Spirit's guidance.
5. Listen and Reflect: Prayer is a two-way conversation. Spend time in silence, listening for God's voice or guidance.
6. Stay Aligned with Scripture: The Spirit will never lead you in a way that contradicts God's Word. Meditating on Scripture alongside prayer can help you stay grounded.
The beauty of praying in the Spirit is that it's about cultivating a relationship with God that goes beyond words or formalities.
The Spirit’s Intercession when I can’t find the Words!
The concept of the Spirit interceding for us is beautifully described in Romans 8:26–27. It teaches that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, especially when we don’t know how to pray or what to ask for. In those moments, the Spirit communicates on our behalf through “groanings too deep for words,” conveying our needs and desires directly to God.
This idea emphasizes that prayer isn’t just about the words we say. It’s also about the posture of our hearts and our openness to the Spirit’s guidance. When you feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of what to pray, the Spirit steps in to bridge the gap, aligning your prayers with God’s will.
It’s a reminder of God’s compassion and care—that even in silence or uncertainty, you are heard and understood. Does this resonate with you? Or would you like to explore this further?
The Spirit’s intercession can manifest in deep personal and spiritual ways. Here are a few examples of how many believers experience this:
1. Unspoken Longings: When you're overwhelmed with emotions—grief, fear, or even joy—and can't find the words to pray, the Spirit communicates these unspoken feelings to God. For instance, someone mourning the loss of a loved one may only sit in silence, but the Spirit expresses the depth of their sorrow to God.
2. Guidance in Decisions: If you're seeking clarity or wisdom, the Spirit may guide your thoughts and prayers, helping you align with God’s will. For example, a person facing a significant life decision might feel an inner peace about one direction and unease about another, which they believe is the Spirit’s intercession.
3. Overcoming Weakness in Prayer: During moments of doubt or spiritual dryness, the Spirit sustains and strengthens your prayer life. For instance, someone struggling with faith may find themselves unexpectedly drawn to Scripture or worship, feeling the Spirit’s encouragement even when they feel spiritually weak.
4. Intercession for Others: Sometimes, the Spirit prompts you to pray for someone without you fully understanding why. For example, you might suddenly feel compelled to pray for a friend and later discover they were going through a challenging time at that very moment.
These moments often reflect a deep assurance that God is at work, even when we don’t fully grasp it. Have you ever experienced something like this in your own spiritual journey?
Recognizing the Spirit's intercession often comes down to being attuned to how God may be working in and through your life. Here are a few ways people often identify it:
1. A Sense of Peace: Even in difficult situations, you might experience an unexplainable sense of calm or assurance, as though God is reminding you that everything is under control.
2. Inner Promptings: You may feel a strong urge or "nudge" to pray for someone, reach out to them, or take a specific action. These moments often feel like they're coming from outside your own thoughts.
3. Clarity in Confusion: When you're uncertain or overwhelmed, you might receive sudden insight, wisdom, or a clear sense of direction that aligns with God's Word and character.
4. Comfort in Weakness: During times when you're struggling to pray—whether due to exhaustion, pain, or doubt—you might feel a reassuring presence or notice that your heart begins to feel lighter as you sit quietly before God.
5. Fruit of the Spirit: Over time, the Spirit’s intercession might bear fruit in your life, such as increased love, patience, or joy, especially in areas where you’ve previously struggled.
6. Confirmation through Others: Sometimes, what you sense or pray for is affirmed by others—through a message, conversation, or even something unexpected that resonates deeply with what you've been experiencing.
The key to recognizing the Spirit's work is developing a habit of being prayerful and reflective, asking God to help you be sensitive to His Spirit. When something is too heavy for you to carry, what do we do? We ask for help, hence – The Two-Man Lift...help from the Holy Spirit!
