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Sermon • THE ARMOR OF God- • PRAYER • Eph 6:18-20 • Introduction
…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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,
and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (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…
The truth of the battle should drive us to pray. • MAKING YOUR PRAYER TIME SCRIPTURE-CENTERED
It is Focused on God's Presence and Kingdom- “Hallowed by Thy Name; Thy kingdom Come, Thy will be done.” • v. 19-20 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
It is Bold and Specific • … those who know that they are sons and daughters can come before the Lord as their Father and address him in a bold, specific manner. It would be disrespectful, except that we are merely asking for what God wants– his Glory to be shown in the world.
It is Prevailing and Corporate- • The Prayer Book of God’s People • The Psalms
“A psalm that we cannot utter as a prayer, that makes us falter and horrifies us, is a hint to us that here someone else is praying, not we; that the One who is here protesting his innocence, who is invoking God’s judgment, who has come to such infinite depths of suffering, is none other than Jesus Christ Himself.
He it is who is praying here, and not only here but in the whole Psalter.” • - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Paul urged early Christians to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16)
How to Pray the Psalms • When you don’t know how to pray, the Psalms will give you a way.
Take your fight into the spiritual realm through prayer. When you are in the spiritual realm, God takes over your battles.