In the series on the Whole Armour of God, this final part of the article discusses the importance of the Word of God and prayer in spiritual warfare.

The Sword of the Spirit – The Word of God: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. – Ephesians 6:17

A sword was one of the necessary weapons for battle in the days of old. As an offensive armour, we are told in Ephesians 6:17 that this sword of the Spirit is the word of God. In spiritual battles, the word of God is inevitable for maintaining a life of constant victory. Christ, who is our Master exemplified this during His temptation in the wilderness. All His responses to the adversary were solidly centered on the immutable word of God. He quoted the word directly to the devil, and the Bible says, “Then the devil left Him…” (Matthew 4:11). 

If you want Satan to leave you in any battle of life, then you must also center your life and the fight around the word of God because the word of God has answers to every challenge of life. We must learn to apply the word in every situation of our lives because the Word of God is a potent force that is invincible to any form of satanic opposition. The writer of Hebrews gives us a hint about the potency of the word of God thus: “For the word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and shifting and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart” ( Hebrews 4:12, AMP). 

We must learn to apply the word in every situation of our lives because the Word of God is a potent force that is invincible to any form of satanic opposition

The power of the word is not just in the ‘reading’ or ‘quoting’, but in the ‘doing’. It is only when we obey the word and apply it rightly that we are able to defeat the enemy. 

Pray at all Times: Pray at all times (and on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). – Ephesians 6:18, AMP

In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out [MSG].

Prayer is one of the most essential spiritual responsibilities of the Believer in his journey of faith. It is for this reason that the Bible adjures us to ‘Pray at all times and on every occasion, in every season…’ This charge is also emphasized in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  

As Believers, if we are not praying, then we are playing; and it is very disastrous to play in the field of battle because life is not a playground but a battleground. We are to pray at all times and about everything because our adversary is always at work to get us entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Praying at all times entails being in a constant and unbroken fellowship with God. There is no part of our lives that is too insignificant to be bathed in prayer. 

As Believers, if we are not praying, then we are playing; and it is very disastrous to play in the field of battle because life is not a playground but a battleground.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian Church enjoined them, saying, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (Philippians 4:6, NLT). Take a look at that charge again: ‘Don’t worry about anything; but pray about everything…’ What the Bible is saying in essence is to turn your worries into prayer, and then you will see the resultant effect. If we must see the fruit of our prayer, we must seek the help of the Holy Spirit, because without His help, prayer becomes a mere ceremony rather than communion. 

Pray for Others: Pray also for me that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel. – Ephesians 6:19 NIV

No matter the height we attain in our walk with God, the place of others praying for us cannot be ruled out. As great as Apostle Paul was, we find this as a usual part of his life and ministry – requesting the prayers of other Believers. No man can succeed alone in the spirit life; everyone needs someone in order to make it to the end. 

No man can succeed alone in the spirit life; everyone needs someone in order to make it to the end. 

Even our Saviour, during His earthly work, wouldn’t underestimate the prayers of His disciples for Him, even though He was their Master. On the verge of His passion, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane with three of His disciples in order for them to stand with Him in prayer. 

As we run the Christian race, there comes a time when we need like-minded fellows to hold our hands in prayer. We find this as a common practice in Paul’s ministry, and no wonder, he succeeded. Even though he was a man totally given to prayer, and had written extensively on prayer, yet he found the prayer of the Saints very useful in his life’s journey. One of the secrets of victory in life is not to fight alone. Solomon in his wisdom said, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT). 

Are you being overpowered by the battles of life? Are you becoming weary of fighting that battle alone? Seek prayer help from brethren of like passion. This is not in any way an indication of weakness but strength because ‘two can stand back-to-back and conquer’. May the Lord grant you grace to understand the role of others’ prayer in your spiritual progress in Jesus’ Name.

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