STANDING FIRM WITH PRAYER

As we wrapped up our study of Standing Firm, aka putting on the armor of
God, this past Sunday, Pastor Lawrence led us through the need for prayer, the
defense mechanism which follows putting on the armor.

Ephesians 6: (NKJV) 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the
saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my
mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an
ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The first defense we employ against evil is to put on the full armor of God. The
second defense is to pray. Two steps are involved: (1) put on the armor of
God, and (2) pray. Notice the order of this, which is extremely important. If
we get the process backwards, our prayer life will be weaker and lacking.
This is great advice for our practical lives if we follow carefully the designated
order of Scripture. Praying is the natural and normal output of wearing the full
armor of God. It is vitally essential to our everyday lives as Christ-followers in
a hostile world, not only for defense against Satan’s attacks but also for
encouraging, exhorting and lifting up the body of believers that is the Mosaic
Church. Rather than tearing down our brothers and sisters in Christ, we
should build them up. Rather than trying to win arguments merely for the sake
of winning, we should think of the reputation of the body of Christ and do what
we must to protect it.

Because we never know the means of attack that Satan will use, we must be
prepared in every way. In addition to praying for the needs of our family, we
need to be involved in the lives of other Mosaics so we can know and pray for
each other’s needs (supplication for all the saints requires knowledge of their
needs).

As the King James Version says, girt about with truth and pray!