Do All This In Prayer

Last time we talked about how our Bible came to us.

One of the most amazing things about our supernatural, God-breathed Bible is its deepness. The words and gospel message are simple enough for seekers to understand, but so profound they can keep the most intelligent scholar captivated.

For example, why does God use certain numbers repeatedly?

Some scholars have seen additional meaning in passages containing these numbers or the sum of words and/or items in them.

One such passage is our focus today.

Since January, we’ve studied the armor of God – five pieces of armor and one weapon. In scripture, the number five is associated with God’s grace or goodness and the number one carries the meaning of unity.

Each piece of this armor – salvation, righteousness, truth, gospel readiness, and faith – comes to us by Him. As sinful humans, they are not nor can they be of our own doing. Therefore, the armor is something we do not merit. But when our heart surrenders, God gives it just the same. This is grace – God’s unmerited favor.

The addition of a weapon brings the total to six. Scholars know the number six as the number of man. It is one short of seven – perfection and completion. Six confirms man’s weakness, first because we were created and second, because of sin. Six also represents Satan’s evil. Therefore, one deeper meaning in the Ephesians 6:12-17 passage is the unifying protective power of God’s grace from evil.

However, it is in Ephesians 6:18 where we learn to employ the armor:  “Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help…” (GNT)

PRAYER is the seventh and final addition, making us a truly complete warrior.

PRAYER is like the key that turns the ignition. PRAYER enables us to utilize the armor and wield the weapon. But not only that, it is through PRAYER God opens our eyes to our real enemy, for we do not fight flesh and blood, but the spirit behind them. With open eyes, we can fight more effectively; discern strongholds and lies that bind. Through PRAYER, God enables us to take our thoughts captive and make them obey Christ. However, PRAYER is a two-way street.  It is speaking and listening, asking and obeying.

It must be God in us and us in Him. We cannot fight the enemy alone, in our own strength and power. We must put on the FULL armor of God and take up Jesus, for His name is great, His hand righteous and strong, His arm, mighty and outstretched. He is our Rock, our Fortress and our Deliverer in whom we trust.