CENTRAL THOUGHT
Prayer is a powerful weapon to fight spiritual war.
TEXT: EPHESIANS 6:18-20; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4
INTRODUCTION:
Prayer is a line of communication between man and his Maker, the Almighty God. For the believer, it should be a lifestyle and a habit. It is an attitude of waiting on the Lord until the answer comes. It is a place of stability, fellowship, conversation, partnership, etc. where the believer receives
strength, learns holiness and obedience. It is very vital for Christian living. In prayer, we draw closer to God. Full consecration comes through prayer.
Prayer is part of the Christian’s armor and
instrument/weapon of war. Through prayers, kingdoms are subdued. Prayer, as a spiritual weapon, is both defensive and offensive.
This study is aimed at helping us to recognize that men ought always to pray and not to faint.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- To know what prayer is
- Appreciate how prayer is an armor and how to use it effectively.
- Know the hindrances to answer to prayers.
- Understand what the believer should pray about
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT IS PRAYER?
Prayer is the line of communication between man and his Maker, the Almighty God, in the form of thanksgiving, appreciation of God’s past works, supplication, request or intercession. It is a time of asking, listening, and hearing from God. Prayer is an act of worship. It enhances every other activity in one’s relationship with God. It is an offensive weapon to fight against the powers of darkness. The power to pray grows gradually with the help of the Holy Ghost.
QUESTION 2) HOW IS PRAYER AN ARMOR?
Prayer is an armor (a spiritual armor) because it connects the believer with the power of God and attracts the attention of heaven for answers to be released. Prayer brings us into communion with God who knows the strategy of the enemy for each battle. In the place of prayers, the enemy’s strategy/ stronghold and strength are revealed to the believer and this will enable him/her to know how to fight each battle. King Hezekiah was threatened by King Sennacherib; he prayed, and God gave him victory over his enemy (2 Kings 19:14-19, 32-37). Prayer as a weapon of our warfare is mighty through God for pulling down of strongholds (2 Corin. 10:3-5). Prayer also strengthens and keeps us alert spiritually.
QUESTION 3) WHAT SHOULD THE BELIEVER PRAY ABOUT?
Scriptures enjoin us that prayers be made for: a. All men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:1)b. For kings and all that are in authority to rule honestly and in the fear of God (1 Timothy 2:2) c. For all Christian leaders to be led by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:19) d. That all believers may be effective in doing the work of God (Matt. 9;37,38; 5:16)e. Our enemies (Matt. 5:44) f. Ourselves, amongst others (Matt. 6:9-14) We must depend on the Holy Spirit to reveal to us daily what we must pray for.
QUESTION 4) WHAT ARE THE HINDRANCES TO ANSWER TO PRAYERS?
There is no prayer that God does not answer unless it is not according to His will/word, or the believer is not attentive to hear from Him. The answer can be yes, no, or wait, depending on God’s purpose for His children. The hindrance to prayers can be: a. Sin: Sin is the major hindrance to our prayers being answered. Seeking for alternatives instead of God’s mercy: Some believers, out of impatience or quest for quick answers, fall into temptation of seeking help like king Saul who went to the witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:1-25).c. Hypocrisy and pretentious long prayers (Matt. 6:14-15) d. Prayer outside the will of God: Some believers always want God to stamp their will/wish but God desires that His will be done in our lives.
QUESTION 5) HOW CAN THE BELIEVER PRAY EFFECTIVELY?
The believer can pray effectively when he/she prays according to the will of God and by the unction of the Holy Spirit. Hebrew 11:6b says, “… He that cometh to Him must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” With this confidence, the believer needs to pray regularly (1Thess. 5:17) and consistently – in thanksgiving, supplications, petitions, intercessions with perseverance while watching and waiting for answers. Moreover, we need the help of the Holy Spirit, to pray effectively “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). We should avoid distraction and discouragement of any kind. We can pray as individuals, families, groups, or corporately; prayer should always be in agreement.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The power of prayer is important to the full Christian armor because every smart soldier knows he must keep the line of communication open with their commander. Even when we are clothed with the other armor of God, we need to pray. Prayer and study of the word are the most powerful tools for combating Satan’s weapons. If we could pray at all times, in all types of conversations with God, and take seriously our role in the kingdom work of God with others, we would begin to experience God in powerful ways. Our lives would become lives that are fueled by a passion for living for Christ. The believer should always realize that the battle is the Lord’s, and we are in His kingdom fighting from the position of victory. We are to tap into the power of prayers everywhere and at all times.
MEMORY VERSE:
EPHESIANS 6:18
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. EPH. 6:10-18
TUE: PERSEVERE IN PRAYERS. LUKE 18:1-8
WED: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. 1 THESS. 5:17
THU: GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS. ACTS 12:1-19
FRI: JESUS SHOWED US THE PATTERN OF PRAYERS. MATT. 6:5-15
SAT: PRAY ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL. 1 KINGS 18:30-39