With Unceasing Prayer and Entreaty
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In Ephesians 6:11-17, Paul describes the six elements of the armor of God: girdle of truth, breastplate of righteousness, sandals of the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit. Then he immediately mentions the importance of prayer in the next verse: “Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so, with unwearied persistence and entreaty on behalf of all God’s people” (Weymouth translation).

The way Paul appends prayer to the elements of Christian armor raises a question: Is prayer the seventh element of the armor of God? Jesus, as head of the church, demonstrated a life of prayer that all Christians should imitate. Jesus continually sought the heavenly Father’s guidance, strength, and help through prayer during his earthly walk that he might faithfully do God’s will. Jesus would rise before dawn to pray to God (Mark 1:35). He spent all night in prayer seeking God’s guidance before selecting the twelve (Luke 6:12,13). On the last evening of his earthly ministry, Jesus, through prayer, asked for God’s help that he might glorify God. He also asked God to keep from the evil one his disciples and those who would believe in him through their message during the Gospel age (John 17:11,15,20,21).

As a Christian soldier, we need God’s guidance, strength and help as Jesus did, and we can obtain it just as he did, through prayer. While the general instructions and help for our spiritual warfare are provided in the Scriptures, trials and decisions arise during our Christian walk that require God’s special direction and help. It is through prayer that we make those requests for divine help and guidance so that we can fight the battle in a manner pleasing to God and overcome our foes. By prayer, we establish two-way communication with our captain and request his orders, encouragement, and additional help for the battle so we can be victorious.

If we are afflicted, become wounded, or sick in our spiritual conflicts, or have fallen short in serving God acceptably, we are to pray to the Father for spiritual healing (James 5:13,16). Paul prayed for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed (2 Corinthians 12:8,9). Although in his case, the thorn was not removed, the Lord did provide Paul with grace and strength to endure the experience. Likewise, as a result of a sincere prayer, God will help us deal with our afflictions and be healed from our spiritual illnesses and wounds (James 5:14).

We have the privilege to pray not just for ourselves but for our fellow Christian soldiers that they might be victorious. Paul prayed for the Philippian brethren that their love would abound more and more (Philippians 1:9). He prayed for the Colossian brethren that they would be filled with a knowledge of God’s will, so they could live a life worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:9,10). We should follow Paul’s example.

Just as we are to keep on the whole armor of God, we are also encouraged to “be constant in prayer” and to “pray without ceasing” (Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Because we need the continual guidance and help of our captain, we must keep in close and constant contact with him through the privilege of prayer. To be a good and successful soldier, we should “have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, RSV). The heavenly Father who answered our Lord’s prayers, will be pleased to answer ours and help lead us to victory.