In light of Paul's prayer in Philippians, I have been inspired to study his prayers throughout the epistles. I am amazed at how often "praying without ceasing" and "pray for our deliverance" were embedded in his petitions. Ephesians was a rich deposit of prayers, especially chapter six. This is the well known section where Paul informs the church of our true battle, not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of this age (v12), therefor we need spiritual armor and weapons. Paul informs the church of the one spiritual offensive weapon they have and how to use it.
The church is given the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Scripture is to be our saber in the battle against unbelief. This is clear, but what seems unclear at first glance is how we are to pray in the Spirit. Some may take this to mean praying in tongues or simply asking the Spirit to direct your prayers so that whatever you ask is "in the Spirit." Although I don't think that these conclusion are excluded as possibilities, I think the immediate context demonstrates that praying in the Spirit is in conjunction with the Sword of the Spirit. We pray in the Spirit by wielding the Sword of the Spirit. In other words, we inform our prayers with the Word of God. Scripture because the launching pad for our petitions and praise. We anchor our faith in the promises of God revealed in his word. The Spirit of God will always work in conjunction with the Word of God. Therefore, we must have more of the Word in us that we may pray in the Spirit.
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