Prayer
Today, we reach the final part of our current series on The Whole Armour of God. Christians often ponder spiritual matters and recognise that we are not mere bystanders in a battle. We become engaged in spiritual warfare when we trust Jesus as our saviour.
In the first week of this series, we delved into the concept of spiritual warfare. Contrary to its sometimes exaggerated portrayal, spiritual warfare is not a thrilling external conflict; instead, it transpires within us as we make daily decisions to obey Christ.
We grow in competence, confidence, and maturity as believers by practising spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, fasting, generosity, service, and celebration. While different people may include various disciplines on their lists, one spiritual discipline consistently appears on every list: prayer.
Triple A Grade Prayer
In Ephesians 6:18, Paul instructs us to "Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication. To that end, be alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Paul provides instruction for what we might call "triple-A grade prayer.” Praying with ALL kinds of prayer, with ALL perseverance, and ALL supplication.
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PRAYER PLAYS AN INDISPENSABLE ROLE IN PREPARING US FOR VICTORY IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
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Prayer plays an indispensable role in preparing us for victory in spiritual warfare. Last week, we focused on learning from Jesus how to wield the sword of the Spirit. Now, we turn our attention to Him once more to learn how to "Pray in the Spirit always with all kinds of prayer and supplication."
Lord, Teach us to Pray.
In Luke Chapter 11, one of Jesus' disciples approached Him and said, "Lord, Teach us to Pray." Jesus responded, "When you pray, say: Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Jesus has provided us with a framework for cultivating a powerful prayer life that trains, strengthens, and helps us grow in our ongoing battles while preparing us for future ones. Prayer is essential to all the topics we have explored in this series. As we examine this prayer, Jesus offers us a model to apply to our prayer life, focusing on four main elements.
Praise and Worship in Prayer
The first element of prayer is praise and worship. Jesus instructs us to begin our prayer by acknowledging, "Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name." This initial step reminds us of the importance of recognising the Recipient of our prayers. Have you ever found your mind wandering off to other places while trying to pray, treating prayer as a mere to-do list for God?
Jesus's instruction prompts us to pause and consider whom we are addressing. In our modern Western culture, we tend to place everyone on the same level, often using terms like "mate" to denote familiarity. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple, which separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple, was torn from top to bottom. This symbolises that Jesus has opened the way for everyone to approach God.
The first element of prayer, as Jesus teaches us, involves praising and worshipping God, recognising His holiness as the King of the Universe. Although we have been given a comfortable level of access to God, it is crucial to remember that we are conversing with the King of the Universe, who possesses the power to answer our prayers.
Prayer for God’s Will
Praying for God's will is an essential aspect of prayer, according to the teachings of Jesus. When we pray for God's will to be done, we acknowledge that there are things beyond our understanding that are part of God's plan. It helps us embrace His kingdom above our own and recognise that His will involves more and better things than we can see.
Even though we may have our own desires and preferences, praying for God's will allows us to surrender our own agenda and trust in His wisdom. Jesus demonstrated this surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done." It is perfectly acceptable to express our desires to God and share how we would like to see things work out, but ultimately, we acknowledge that His will surpasses our own.
When we fail to recognise and pray for God's will, we may become anxious, frustrated, or try to manipulate outcomes. By limiting the scope of God's will to only what we can know and see, we restrict His plan and potentially hinder our own growth and development.
Making Supplication in Prayer
The next element of prayer Jesus teaches is supplication, which refers to making specific requests or petitions to God. However, it is essential to approach supplication after worship, praise, and praying for God's will. When we align ourselves with God's desires through worship and seeking His will, our requests will align with things that honour and glorify Him. This allows our supplications to align with God's purpose and align with His plans for our lives.
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WHEN WE ALIGN OURSELVES WITH GOD’S DESIRE THROUGH WORSHIP AND SEEKING HIS WILL, OUR REQUESTS WILL THINGS THAT HONOUR AND GLORIFY HIM.
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Prayer for Strength in Temptation
Finally, Jesus teaches us to pray for strength in temptation. This involves asking God to lead us away from evil and keep us from putting ourselves in situations that may lead to sin. We recognise our tendency to be drawn towards sinful things and ask God for guidance and strength to resist temptation. This aspect of prayer also encompasses asking for deliverance from trials and suffering, seeking God's help to overcome challenges and remain faithful to Him.
In summary, Prayer begins with praise and worship, done in recognition of whom we are speaking to. Recognising that things beyond our understanding are part of God’s plan, surrendering our desires to His wisdom, and making specific requests or petitions to God after aligning ourselves with His will through worship and seeking His guidance. Asking God to lead us away from evil, keeping us from situations that may lead to sin, and providing the strength to resist temptation and overcome trials.
TAKE ACTION:
1. Cultivate a powerful prayer life: Recognise the importance of prayer in your spiritual journey and make it a consistent practice. Set aside dedicated time for prayer and create a prayer routine that works for you.
*Begin with praise and worship: When you pray, acknowledge and praise God for His holiness and sovereignty. Take a moment to reflect on who God is and express your reverence and gratitude towards Him.
*Pray for God's will: Surrender your own desires and preferences to God's wisdom. Pray for His will to be done in your life, trusting that His plans are better and higher than yours. Express your desires to God, but ultimately seek His guidance and align your requests with His purposes.
*Make specific requests in supplication: Present your specific requests and petitions to God. Be 100% open and honest, nothing is too large or too small to bring before the Lord. Seek His guidance and align your requests with things that honour and glorify Him. Be persistent in your prayers, demonstrating perseverance and faith in God's faithfulness.
* Pray for strength in temptation: Ask God to lead you away from evil and to keep you from situations that may lead to sin. Seek His help to resist temptation and overcome trials. Pray for deliverance from challenges and the strength to remain faithful to God in adversity.
*Study and apply Jesus' model prayer: Reflect on the model prayer provided by Jesus in Luke Chapter 11. Study each element and consider how to incorporate them into your prayer life. Use it as a guide to structure your prayers and deepen your connection with God.
*Remember, prayer is a personal and intimate connection with God. Tailor your prayer life to suit your own spiritual journey, and be open to exploring new ways to deepen your relationship with Him.
2 Engage in other spiritual disciplines: Recognise that spiritual warfare involves daily decisions to obey Christ. Engage in spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, fasting, generosity, service, and celebration. These practices help you grow in competence, confidence, and maturity as a believer, equipping you for the battles you will inevitably face.
My prayers are with you, dear reader.
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