THE WEAPON OF "ALL PRAYER"

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Eph 6:18)

The warfare of the believer is fierce, demanding extensive protection. We are not dealing with a docile adversary that is willing to negotiate terms of peace. This is a life and death struggle, requiring "the whole armor of God." Without it, we will not be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil," or withstand his assault in the "evil day," when he unloads his diabolical arsenal against us. Part of our weaponry is prayer–"all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." This is a most versatile weapon, consisting of praises, thanksgiving, petitions, confessions, intercessions, and pleadings. It is also a weapon to be employed day and night, and in all circumstances: "praying always." In prayer we engage the powers of darkness, pushing through their hosts as we enter into the "holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Heb 10:19). Although Satan is the "prince of the power of the air" (Eph 2:2), he cannot stop the prayers of saints that rise like sweet incense from the battleground of this world. When our strength begins to dissipate, we pray, seeking for mercy, and grace to help in the time of need (Heb 4:16). When we are discouraged, we exhort our souls to not be cast down as we flee to Christ for refuge, to lay hold on the hope that is set before us (Heb 6:18).

In our prayers the Spirit helps and assists us. He shows us God's exceeding great and precious promises, bringing them into the citadel of our mind. He refreshes our hearts with the words of Jesus, and the declaration of the soon demise of the devil. We are also assured that when our minds fail us, and we do not know how we ought to pray, the Spirit will take up the cause for us, interceding for us in groanings that cannot be expressed in human speech (Rom 8:26). But we do not fight for ourselves alone! Employing the weapon of "all prayer and supplication in the Spirit," we continue to lift up the household of faith–"all saints." From heaven's point of view, there is a continual cloud of incense rising from the earth. It is the prayers of saints for one another–for those who are not known as well as those who are. They are all in the same battle, possessing the same faith, and engaging the same enemy. Satan's power is neutralized by such prayers. The powers of darkness are restrained when the people of God use the weapon of "all prayer." So plead for "all saints." Their needs are the same as yours. Many of them may be in dire straits, and your prayers will make the difference.