‘Battle Ready – Stay Alert and Pray’ – 1.28.2024

January 28, 2024
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The Whole Armor of God 

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of  God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the  devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against  evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put  on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the  time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s  righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good  News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up  the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as  your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be  persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18  NLT 

WHY PRAYER? 

  • Prayer connects us to God. 

1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his  disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught  his disciples.” 2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: Father, may your  name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. 3 Give us each day the  food we need, 4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against  us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.” Luke 11:1-4 NLT 

  • Prayer connects us to the power of God. 

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power  for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ  

from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the  heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT 

  • Prayer connects us to one another. Pray in the Spirit at all times  and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers  for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 NLT 
  • Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit’s leading. • We need others to pray for us.  
  • We need others to watch out for us.  

 

WHAT IS PRAYER? 

  • The most basic definition of prayer is talking with God. • Communication in battle is critical. 

“We speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. This is prayer in its purest form.  God changes his people through such moments.” Max Lucado 

  • Our deepest struggles and agonies can be shared with God. • God’s will not our plans must be the goal. 

 

WHAT PRAYER IS NOT. 

  • Prayer is not a way to manipulate God. 
  • Prayer is not giving God instructions to follow. 
  • Prayer is not always answered as we might wish. 

 

Paul’s Final Advice 

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s  work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show  them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live  peacefully with each other. 14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those  who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who  are weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil,  but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 16 Always be  joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is  God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy  Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on  to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:12- 22 NLT 

Next steps for me today… 

  • To know the one true God by faith in Jesus Christ his son. • To join a Life Group today because I need to be praying for  others and I need them praying for me.
Next Steps

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