The Ultimate Weapon Series

GEARING UP FOR WAR - The Ultimate Weapon

October 24, 2022

Ephesians 6:10-18

Introduction:

Frank Peretti wrote two books called, “This Present Darkness” and “Piercing the Darkness.” In these two fiction books he gives us a glimpse of the spiritual warfare that takes place in the heavenly realms. He pulls back the curtain and presents a picture of real battles taking place between the forces of evil and the protective forces of God.

I understand this is a book of fiction, but my favorite part of what Mr. Peretti describes during the most intense battles is called “Prayer Cover.”

He describes it in this way…“When the people of God pray…it provides cover and strength for the angelic forces of God to fight with power.”

Its the exact reason the Apostle Paul talks about God’s full armor, and a very real spiritual war taking place in the heavenly realms…He wants to give us a glimpse at this invisible world…I just really wonder if we believed this was true, how urgent would our prayer lives become.

James tells us “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

Powerful…when I think or powerful I think of dynamite, the Hulk, or a Dodge Hemi…and when I think or effective I think about my chainsaw with a brand new chain…it cuts like butter. I think effective means…it works like it’s supposed to.

Powerful prayer…Effective prayer…would those be the terms that describe your communication with God?

I remember talking with a preacher buddy of mine and he said, “I want a prayer life that makes me known in heaven and feared in Hell.”

I reminded him that Satan’s not in Hell yet…and he said, “Shut up! You know what I mean.”

Let’s do a quick recap of what we’ve been talking about over the last 8 weeks concerning Gearing Up for War…

Paul tells us…be strong in the Lord and His mighty power…He’s given us a description of the spiritual forces we are at war with and then he says, “Put on the full armor of God so you can stand your ground when the day of evil comes. Buckle on the belt of truth, fasten on the breastplate of righteousness, lace on the shoes that make you ready to share the gospel of peace, pick up the shield of faith, put on the Helmet of salvation, and unsheathe the sword of the Spirit…the Word of God.

Every piece of this gear is designed by God and given to us so we can stand up to, and extinguish Satan’s schemes. But, God’s Word clearly tells us prayer provides “the protective cover.” Prayer provides the wisdom and guidance, prayer reveals God’s battle plan as we submit to His Word, prayer is vital no matter the occasion…It’s not an afterthought or a ritual…Praying in the Spirit is like breathing…it’s essential.

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the Lord’s people.” (v. 18)

We cannot begin to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power, or stand firm in our faith, or resist Satan’s schemes unless we are people of prayers…In fact prayer is the conduit by which we communicate with our commander.

Peter Marshall (my dad’s favorite minister) who was chaplain of the US Senate said, “Forgive us for thinking that prayer is a waste of time and help us to see that without prayer our work is a waste of time.”

I. LIVING IN THE SPIRIT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE CONNECTED TO GOD

George Barna said that 78% of people who confess to being Christians pray during 2 distinct times:

The first:

1. Before Meals

If this is as far as your communication goes spiritually…just pray for all the groceries in the back of your car after shopping at Kroger… “Bam! You done.”

I believe thanking God for everything is important in our prayers…including our daily bread, but if it’s just a ritual that we do instead of something that flows naturally in connection with our relationship with God…it’s probably more out of duty than out of real gratitude.

Praying in the Spirit is about a child’s relationship with their father…

SHOW PIC OF OAKLYNN

[Oaklynn, my granddaughter, is only 10 months old but she communicates with her Daddy, Mommy, Nana, and PaPaw…Her first word was “Da-da.” She reaches for those she wants…It’s not something she’s been taught…it’s something she’s come to know through a relationship. She lets us know when she’s hungry…but she also lets us know when she needs to be changed, when she’s hurt, when she wants to snuggle and when she’s mad. She needs us…she needs her Mommy and Daddy and brother…and there is no hesitancy to communicate it.]