This week we continue in our 9-week series entitled ’Praying Together’; this series is loosely based upon the book and course, ‘The Prayers of many’ by Mike Betts. During this series, we want to learn about the importance of corporate prayer.
‘This is the third devotional looking at spiritual warfare from Ephesians 6:10-20. Firstly, we saw the need to understand that there is an emery and a war (6:10-12). Secondly, we looked at how we must get prepared to this battle by putting on the armour of God (6:13-17). Today, we will see that we get prepared so that we can pray together (6:18-20).
‘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. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.’ (Ephesians 6:18-20)
Summary: Pray in the Spirit together - in God’s presence and as led by Him - because it unleashes God’s power.
To watch this devotional please go to:
‘And pray…’
We put on this armour of God so that we can pray. We use the ‘sword of the Spirit’ so we can pray. We are not to be like those who dress in sports wear as a fashion statement; we get dressed to do stuff. Likewise, we put on this armour (which we summarised as standing in the truth of who God is and what He’s done for us) so we can pray! Speaking on these verses, Lloyd-Jones said:
‘There is nothing so tragic as a dead orthodox church; and the explanation always is that they have forgotten this further exhortation. Having put on each single piece of the armour carefully and thoroughly they have not gone on to remember this injunction – ‘praying always’… The ultimate test of my understanding of the scriptural teaching is the amount of time I spend in prayer.’ (Lloyd Jones, Ephesians 6)
‘Pray in the Spirit’
Prayer in the Spirit is to pray in awareness that He is with us. It’s to pray dependent upon and as led by the Spirit of God. Jesus promised to be with us as we pray together:
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
Jesus is with us at our prayer meetings and this is why praying together in in Spirit unleashes God’s power.
‘On all occasions’
We are to pray at all times, about all things and in all places. Whenever we meet in the various settings that we meet with other Christians. We are to pray on every occasion of attack and challenge. We understand that the Spirit of God is almighty and nothing is too difficult for Him.
‘All kinds of prayer and requests’
Pray about everything. Pray with the mind and with the spirit (in tongues - See 1 Corinthians 14:15).
‘Be alert’
Let’s be alert to God’s leading and alert to the enemy’s attacks.
‘Keep praying for all the Lord’s people’
Lets’ endeavour to be faithful in praying for our brothers and sisters. Maybe keeping a prayer list could help with this.
‘Pray also for me…’
Paul wants the Ephesian church to assist him through prayer. He knew that he needed their prayers for him. We could say, surely Paul just needed to pray for himself! I don’t need the prayers of others, I can talk to God. Yes, we can talk to God for ourselves, but if we are to follow the Biblical model, we would ask for the prayers of others.
Paul expects to receive appropriate words to share the gospel and fearlessness to do so as they pray for him. Likewise, let’s pray together and ask for prayer because we know that it leads to God’s assistance.
RESPONSE - PRAY IN THE SPIRIT TOGETHER
As we've gone through this section on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-20 we’ve seen, firstly that we are to be aware (of the battle and enemy 6:10-12). Secondly that we are to prepare (put on the full armour of God 6:13-17). Finally, all this is so that we can ‘pray in the Spirit’.
As we ‘pray in the Spirit’ - pray in God’s presence and as led by Him - we will receive God’s assistance in many ways. Paul began this section by saying: ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.’ (Ephesians 6:10). Praying together is the way that we can receive God’s strength and power as we ask Him to ‘move the mountains’ that are impossible for us.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. NOTICES
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. ICEBREAKER
What has God been speaking to you about from His Word this week?
3. STUDY AND PRAY TOGETHER
During this series, we will be using the 'Prayers of Many' course by Mike Betts.
I encourage you to buy a copy of the book from: https://prayersofmany.org/book#buybook
If you need assistance in buying a book please send an email to the church office and we will happily purchase you a copy.
Please download the course handbook from:
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