Praying in the Spirit
The final instruction on putting on the whole armour of God is to keep praying “in the Spirit”. The armour is God’s armour, and it protects us because it’s God’s power. Prayer is how we “put on” God’s power to protect us from the enemy. All the armour is put on with prayer, and so it’s important to be reminded what true and powerful prayer really is, and how we should be praying.
Scripture
Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Bible Study Questions
Under God’s power, under God’s control
In the final part of the armour of God, Paul urges us to pray. He doesn’t connect this instruction with any one part of the armour, and it seems best to understand the command in light off all the armour. How do we put on each piece of God’s armour, so as to be protected by God’s power?
Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Life in the Spirit
What is it to pray in the Spirit? To understand that we need to look at all the times, and all the ways that we are instructed to do things “in the Spirit”. What does it mean to “live by the Spirit”?
Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV praying at all times in the Spirit,
1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Philippians 3:3 ESV For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—
Being carried along by the Holy Spirit
Living by the Spirit is clearly living in trust and obedience to the Holy Spirit of God. When we’re living in that faith and obedience we’re also submitted to be under the control of the Holy Spirit? Those who wrote the Bible, were said to be “in the Spirit” and “carried along by the Holy Spirit”. How is being “in the Spirit” or “carried along by the Holy Spirit” related to listening, and how should listening be part of “Praying in the Spirit”?
2 Peter 1:21 ESV For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 22:42-44 ESV saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’?
Revelation 1:9-10 ESV I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
Romans 8:5-7 ESV For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Romans 8:15-16 ESV For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
With all Prayer, not just pleading
Jesus teaches His disciples that God already knows what we need before we ask Him. That means that prayer cannot just be about pleading to God for the things we want. How should we pray to prepare to be “in the Spirit” in all our prayer?
Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Psalms 100:4 ESV Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Matthew 6:7-10 ESV “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Alert and with determined perseverance
We’re beginning to see prayer in the light of the expression of our relationship with God. Prayer is not only about changing our circumstances, but also about changing us. Why is perseverance in prayer important? How does faithful perseverance change our hearts?
Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance,
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Luke 18:1 ESV And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Jude 1:20 ESV But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Pleading for others in all the Church
Prayer is not only always first and foremost about God’s will, but it should also be about others more than it’s about ourselves. Jesus teaches that it’s better to give than receive, and that we should love our neighbour as ourselves. How can we honour those instructions in prayer?
Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
James 5:16-18 ESV Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Pleading for the leaders, for the sake of the Gospel
Paul repeatedly urges the Church to pray for Him and His associates as they do the work of preaching and ministering the Gospel. How should we honour His instruction, and why is that important?
Ephesians 6:19 ESV and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 ESV Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,
1 Thessalonians 5:25 ESV Brothers, pray for us.
Romans 15:30-32 ESV I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.