Christians know that the realities of this world are beyond what we see. Paul reminds us that, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 4:12).
But what do we do with such knowledge of an invisible war being waged?
May I suggest one very simple way to participate in this war? Join your pre-service prayer team.
Every Sunday at New Life at both campuses, we gather at 7:30 to spend time in prayer for the day ahead. If you don’t attend New Life, ask your pastor if you have a prayer meeting. And if you don’t, you might consider starting one. I am heartened every week by those who come early in order to participate in this invisible battle.
As Paul concludes this passage about the spiritual battle in Ephesians 4, he summarizes his admonition for God’s people to put on the armor of God with these words, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 4:18-20).
A few things stand out to me here. First, Paul’s encouragement to pray appears to not just be another part of the armor of God, but something that summarizes the entire spirit of donning the armor of the God. The manner in which we put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit is through prayer. In other words, truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are all accessed through prayer.
Second, Paul then asks the church at Ephesus to pray for him. And what is does he ask the church to pray for? Clarity and boldness of speech as he declares the gospel. If Paul needs these prayers, how much more do I need these prayers from my church?
Your Sunday morning routine (maybe you have little ones to get dressed or perhaps you are serving on a team) might not allow you to participate in your Sunday morning prayer gathering. That is okay. Perhaps you could set a calendar reminder to pause and pray every Sunday. Would you pray for God to call those far from him to your church? Would you pray for God to soften hard hearts? Would you pray that God would bring repentance? Would you pray that God would make the praise of God’s people a sweet aroma to him? Would you pray that God would unite the people of God more deeply in communion and fellowship? Would you pray that those who serve would do so with glad and humble hearts? Would you pray that it would be a day of salvation for children and teens, for young adults and seniors?
As you pray, you join the cosmic battle in this present darkness and participate in the in-breaking of the work of God. Isn’t that incredible?
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