This is the second sermon in a four-sermon series titled “Waging Successful Spiritual Warfare with the Help that Comes Through Prayer. This series will emphasize the place prayer should have in the life of each follower of Jesus.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18 NIV) Ephesians 6:10-14 lists the elements of the armor of God that enables us to stand against the devil’s schemes. Our text, Ephesians 6:18, shows us that prayer is to be linked to this armor making it essential in preparation for spiritual warfare. We will look at three principles that should characterize prevailing prayer those principles are that prevailing prayer is perceptive, persevering, and passionate. Prevailing prayer is not about forcing God's hand, but about aligning our hearts with His. Be specific in your desires, for clarity brings focus. But also, hold those desires with open hands, trusting in a wisdom greater than our own. Pray with persistence, fueled by unwavering faith. Remember, the greatest victory often lies not in getting exactly what we ask for, but in growing closer to the One who hears our prayers.
Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Introduction
This is the second sermon in a four sermon series titled “Waging Successful Spiritual Warfare with the Help that Comes Through Prayer. This series will emphasize the place prayer should have in the life of each follower of Jesus. Last week we talked about the power we have when we partner in prayer with each other. Today we want to talk about the prevailing prayer.
Prevailing prayer refers to a type of prayer that is persistent, fervent, and effective. It's a prayer that "prevails" or achieves its purpose, often breakthroughs or answers to difficult situations. Prevailing prayer is characterized by:
- Persistence: Continuing to pray despite obstacles or delays
- Passion: Praying with strong emotions and urgency
- Faith: Trusting in God's power and promises
- Perseverance: Praying without giving up
An example of prevailing prayer in scripture is Paul's prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:15-23)
Ephesians 1:15-23 NIV [15] For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, [16] I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. [17] I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. [18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, [19] and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength [20] he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, [21] far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. [22] And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Our text today Ephesians 6:18 gives us three principles that should characterize prevailing prayer.
Prevailing prayer is perceptive, persevering, and passionate.
Here’s our text
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
If we read the text in the context of the entire section of scripture that James read from Ephesians 6:10-18 it looks like Paul, who wrote this letter to to church in Ephesus, was saying that prayer should be united or linked with all the armor of God; and that it is certainly an essential aspect of the believer’s preparation for spiritual warfare which is a constant battle between good and evil forces for control of people's souls.
Again the three principles are that prevailing prayer is perceptive, persevering, and passionate.
I. Perceptive prayer.
First, prevailing prayer is perceptive meaning this it has or shows sensitive insight.
According to Paul, we are to pray “in the Spirit.”. That suggests that we are to be energized by the Holy Spirit in our praying.
That’s the kind of prayer that James was talking about
James 5:16 NIV Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
This is the kind of prayer that is surely the expression of a person whose heart is controlled by the Spirit.
To pray with perception means not only praying in the energy of the Holy Spirit but praying in line with the mind of the Spirit. Paul also wrote the Romans that we can pray in line with the mind of the Spirit, and the the Holy Spirit will help us do this.
Romans 8:26-27 NIV [26] In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
This is the first principle of prevailing prayer. Even when we feel lost or unable to express ourselves fully in prayer, the Holy Spirit acts as our advocate, ensuring our needs are understood and presented to God according to his will.
We must seek to make our prayers perceptive and discerning, and for that we have the ministry of the Spirit of God.
II. Persevering prayer.
The second principle is that we must be persevering in our praying.
Look at our text again
Ephesians 6:18 NIV [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
A. It says to pray in the Spirit on all occasions.
In other translations it says praying “always”,“at all times” or “at every opportunity” or to put it simply praying “without ceasing.”
I Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV[18] in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Prevailing prayer, therefore, is something that is to be maintained and sustained. We are to engage in this all the time and at every opportunity.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
III. Passionate prayer.
Prevailing in prayer is perceptive and persevering. It is also passionate meaning that it is prayer that exhibits intense or strong feelings.
Look at our text again;
Ephesians 6:18 NIV [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
That kind of praying cannot exist without passion, fervor, and zeal as it says in
James 5:16 NKJV [16] Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
But, let’s not confuse passion with noise and outward excitement. Passion is simply a strong feeling. It is not to be identified with shouting, hand raising, and clapping. Those things may be appropriate at times but are not necessarily proof of true passion and spiritual desire.
The secret lies in the area of our spiritual desires. If we really desire something, we will automatically find ourselves praying with passion.
It’s like when a little child sets his heart on something, they will ask for that thing with great feeling and fervor. They will automatically be filled with a strong feeling toward that something. So it is in the spiritual realm.
As God’s children, if we desire God’s power and victory to be manifested on our behalf, we will pray passionately and enthusiastically. We have to make sure our desires line up with God’s will for us.
Psalms 37:4 NIV Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
The idea here is that true fulfillment comes from finding joy and purpose in God, and that when we align our desires with His will, He will grant them.
Conclusion
Let’s engage in prevailing prayer, prayer that is perceptive, persevering, and passionate.
Put on each piece of the armor of God with prayer.
Put on the belt of truth with prayer. Put on breastplate of righteousness with prayer. Put on the footwear to share the gospel of peace with prayer. Take the shield of faith with prayer. Put on the helmet of salvation with prayer. And use the sword of the Spirit with prayer.
Remember, prevailing prayer is not about forcing God's hand, but about aligning our hearts with His. Be specific in your prayers, for clarity brings focus. But also, hold those desires with open hands, trusting in a wisdom greater than our own. Pray with persistence, fueled by unwavering faith. Remember, the greatest victory often lies not in getting exactly what we ask for, but in growing closer to the One who hears our prayers.
Most importantly, pray with a heart overflowing with love and gratitude. For it is in that spirit that true connection is made, and true transformation begins. Let your prayers be a beacon, a testament to your unwavering faith. May they be a force that not only changes your circumstances, but also transforms you from the inside out.
Let’s pray,
Thank you for the gift of communication with You, a privilege that allows us to express our deepest needs and desires.
We acknowledge that true prevailing prayer isn't about demanding our will, but aligning our hearts with Yours. Guide us, Lord, as we strive for clarity in our petitions, focusing on the underlying needs rather than just the desired outcome. Grant us the wisdom to surrender the specifics, trusting that Your ways are higher than our own.
Father, ignite in us a fire of love and gratitude. Let our prayers be a conversation, not a monologue, fueled by an overflowing heart that recognizes Your immense love and grace.
Empower us, Lord, to go forth and leave this place with a renewed commitment to prayer. May our petitions be a force for good, transforming not only our circumstances, but also our very souls. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
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