1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. Eph. 6:10-20

3. The Priority of Prayer Ephesians 6:18-20
Vs. 18 concludes what precedes it
Translated “; by means of all prayer . . .”
Vs. 18 connects back to verse 14 - “Stand firm therefore by means of all prayer and petition.”
Each piece of the armor of God is to be put on with prayer.

4. Prayers and Petitions Ephesians 6:18
proseuch / proseuchê – a general word for prayer and always used in reference to God
Nicoll says that it “emphasizes prayer as an act of worship or devotion.”

5. Prayers and Petitions Ephesians 6:18
devhsiV / deêsis - petition / supplication is general word for asking concerning a need
Nicoll states that it is "the cry of personal need."

6. Prayers and Petitions Ephesians 6:18
God desires to have us ask from Him for those things that are on our hearts both general and specific
We ask with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6)
Thanksgiving is an indicator of our worldview & heart (Hebrews 13:15-16)

7. Praying in the Spirit Ephesians 6:18
All prayer is to be made in accordance with the Holy Spirit
This is not “speaking in tongues”
The tongues spoken in Acts 2 were known languages & dialects
Speaking in tongues was for the benefit of unbelieving Jews Cor. 14:21-22; Isa. 28:11

8. Praying in the Spirit
This is not a private prayer language
All gifts are for common good of the body, not self edification - 1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 4:1-16
Their practice resulted in blasphemy
Prayer is to be with both mind and spirit
The Spirits intercession in Romans 8:26 is without speech

9. Praying in the Spirit
This is praying under the control of the Holy Spirit for God’s will to be done and His name to be glorified
Examples of praying in the Spirit:
Matthew 26:42
Acts 16:7-10
2 Corinthians 12:9
Philippians 1:21-26

10. Warfare Praying
Taking part in the spiritual battles of others through my prayers and petitions to the Lord on their behalf
Belt of Truth: Pray to know & be controlled by truth and for Satan’s lies & slanders to be exposed

11. Warfare Praying
Breastplate of Righteousness: Pray to be seek holiness in all things regardless of emotions and deal with others in righteousness
Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace: Pray to be have God’s peace in all circumstances and growing in the knowledge of God His love.

12. Warfare Praying
Shield of Faith: Pray for a proven faith thoroughly grounded in God’s character and promises that will extinguish the devils destructive schemes.
Helmet of Salvation: Pray to live according to the new nature motivated by our hope in God’s promises and so living with eternity in view

13. Warfare Praying
The Sword of the Spirit: Pray to known and handle the Bible accurately, to be controlled by its truth when attacked and proclaim its truth to others.

14. Warfare Praying Wrong Methods
Bind Satan – Matthew 16:19; 18:18
There are no scriptural examples of men binding Satan or demons
Bind & loose: a Jewish idiom referring to what is forbidden or permitted
If Satan can be “bound,” how does he keep getting free?

15. Warfare Praying Wrong Methods
Plead the blood - Exodus 12:13
Claiming Jesus’ blood as a covering of protection
This makes prayer a magical incantation of making things okay by just saying the correct words.
It distorts what has already been done - 1 John 1:7-9

16. Praying for One Another Ephesians 6:19-20
Paul requests intercession so that he would speak the gospel with boldness
We must be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might (Eph. 6:10) and not our own strength
We must be praying pro-actively - before things go wrong

17. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ