A Call To Arms On Our Knees

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes!  Amos 6:1 (ESV)

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Colossians 4:12 (NIV)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.  Ephesians 6:10-12, 18-20 (NLT)

At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. Romans 8:26a (GW)

How does God’s Spirit help ARM me For Battle AS I Pray?

1. He _______________________________ when I can’t find the words.

But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26b (GW)

2. He ___________________________________ to help me understand.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 1 Corinthians 2:10b-13 (NIV)

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

3. He ________________ to do the things He has _____________ to do.

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NTFE)

WE ENGAGE THE BATTLE LIKE PAUL IN PRAYER R.A.I.D.S… 

“…I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 (ASV)

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. ¹⁰ Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. ¹¹ We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, ¹² always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, ¹⁴ who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.  Colossians 1:9-14 (NLT)

R __________________

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. Colossians 1:9a

…be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (AMP)

A ________________

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will… Colossians 1:9b

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight… Philippians 1:9 (NIV)

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

I ________

“We ask God to give you…spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Colossians 1:9b (NLT)

I don’t want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan’s scheming. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (GW)

D ________________________

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. Colossians 1:11 (NLT)

S ________________

May you be filled with joy, ¹² always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, ¹⁴ who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:11b-14 (NLT)

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴ Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Colossians 4:2-4 (NIV)