Pray in the Spirit on all Occasions; Ephesians 6:18-20

Defeating the Devil Through Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 is our last weapon that we need to fight against our enemy, and that weapon is prayer. I must confess I am weak when it comes to prayer. I don’t often pray for long times. Sometimes, I find myself rushing in prayer and not concentrating. But nowadays, I am learning to slow down, to concentrate, and to connect with God in prayer.When I pray, I picture myself kneeling and humbling myself before the Lord—talking to God one on one, communicating with Him, and telling Him my needs. Am also learning to listen to the Lord in prayer. Many times, we just speak, but we miss the part where God speaks to our hearts. I remember a time when I enjoyed every moment with God in prayer. I never rushed. I would pray, picturing myself with God, speaking to Him and waiting for Him to speak to my heart. I enjoyed every moment with Him. I didn’t go to prayer only because I needed something from God, but because I wanted an intimate relationship with Him. In those moments, I experienced true peace in my Christian life. Every word I spoke, I meant it, and my spirit was alert. My only desire was to walk with God, to love Him, and to obey His commands. My wish was to live a life that pleased Him. If it was thanksgiving, I truly meant it. If it was praise, I truly praised Him. I tasted the goodness of God, and I experienced Him walking with me in every step of my life.

1. The Power of Prayer

I love God because He loves me—even when I am far from Him. Has someone ever been good to you even when you did evil to them? That is how God is. Even in my sin, He still loves me and remains good to me. I have messed up many times, but when I cried out to Him, He answered my prayers. His love has changed me. His love towards me has made me change my ways and my actions. His love to me makes me hate my own sin. His love makes me fight against my sinful nature. His love to me has not made me arrogant or rebellious, continuing in sin. Instead, it has made me hate sin and always desire to live a holy and righteous life. His mercy and grace make me humble myself and see how sinful I am and weak in His sight. This is the power of prayer. Prayer changes our lives. It is the only channel through which we can communicate with God and be transformed. We cannot be changed if we are not praying. Prayer draws us closer to God. It makes us pour out our hearts to Him and beg for His mercy and forgiveness. Through prayer, God changes our hearts, our minds, and our behavior.

2. Prayer is Honesty with God

One thing I have learned about prayer is this: prayer is simply being honest with God. How many of us are honest with God when we pray? Often, we try to hide our sins and bribe God with sweet words about how much we love and adore Him, while still living in sin. But God knows our hearts. He knows every secret and hidden sin. David realized he could not hide his sin from God. He said: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away” (Psalm 32:3). That’s how a true servant of God feels. So many times, I have tried to hide my sin, but I cannot. God wants us to be honest with Him. We struggle with sin, but when we come to God, let us pour out our hearts and, like David, declare: “Search me, O God, and know my heart. See if there is any offensive way in me. God does not want us to pamper Him with sweet words. He wants us to confess our secret sins so that He may heal us and transform us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

3. What it Means to Pray in the Spirit

Verse 18 says: “Pray in the Spirit.” What does this mean?

1. Praying with a Clean Heart
   • Praying in the Spirit means going before the Lord without unconfessed sin.
   • God cannot answer prayers if there is unconfessed sin.
   • That’s why Peter told husbands to treat their wives well, so that their prayers may not be hindered (1 Peter 3:7).
2. Praying According to God’s Will
   • The Apostle John said: “Whenever we pray according to His will, God will always answer” (1 John 5:14).
   • We cannot pray against God’s will and expect an answer.
   • To learn how to pray according to His will, we must know the Bible and follow the examples of people who prayed in Scripture.
3. Praying Led by the Holy Spirit
   • Romans 8:26 says the Spirit helps us pray.
   • This means that when we make wrong prayers, the Holy Spirit corrects us.
   • Sometimes, when we don’t feel like praying, the Spirit gives us the strength to pray.
   • He also places people and needs in our hearts. For example, one Friday, I found myself praying for church members who were drifting away from God. The Spirit placed their names on my heart.
4. Praying in the Spirit is Not Just Emotion or Tongues
   • It is not about praying emotionally.
   • It is not only about speaking in tongues. In Acts 2:1–13, speaking in tongues meant speaking in foreign languages.
   • Praying in the Spirit means being led by the Spirit to pray according to God’s will.

4. What Should We Pray For?

Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray with all kinds of prayers and requests. But what exactly should we pray for?Jesus taught us in Matthew 6 (the Lord’s Prayer). This is not a prayer to be repeated word-for-word but an outline:

• Worship: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Direct our prayers to God, worship Him, honor His name.)
• God’s Kingdom: “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” (Pray for missions, evangelism, discipleship.)
• Daily Needs: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Pray for our personal needs.)
• Forgiveness: “Forgive us our debts…” (Confess our sins, pray for our relationships.)
• Holiness and Protection: “Deliver us from evil.” (Pray for holiness and strength against temptation.)

5. Be Alert in Prayer

Ephesians 6:18 also says: “Be alert.”

• We must be aware of how the enemy works in our lives, families, churches, and in the world.
• If you see a brother drifting from God, pray for him.
• If someone is in hardship, pray that they are not overwhelmed.
• If a family is in conflict, pray for peace.
• If believers are tempted, pray they will not fall.

We are one body in Christ. If one part is weak, the whole body suffers. That’s why we must pray for one another to remain strong and firm.

6. Pray for All God’s People

• Pray for Christians who are persecuted. Hebrews 13:3 tells us to remember those in prison as if we were in chains with them.
• Pray for pastors, missionaries, evangelists, and Christian leaders. The enemy always targets them.
• Pray for boldness to spread the gospel.

Paul, even though he was imprisoned, never prayed for himself. Instead, he prayed that the gospel would spread. He didn’t pray for his comfort or personal needs. He prayed that Christ would be preached everywhere. That is how we should pray.

7. Prayer Defeats Our Enemy, the Devil

Ephesians 6:18–20 shows us that prayer is not only for our personal needs but also a weapon in spiritual warfare. After listing the armor of God, Paul ends with prayer, reminding us that without prayer, the armor is powerless. The devil is our enemy. He uses schemes, lies, temptations, and accusations to weaken our faith. But prayer gives us victory:

1. Prayer Keeps Us Alert Against Satan’s Schemes
   • The verse says: “Be alert.”
   • Through prayer, our eyes are opened to the traps of the enemy.
   • When we pray, the Holy Spirit warns us, convicts us, and helps us avoid falling into temptation.
2. Prayer Strengthens Us to Stand Firm
   • The armor of God (truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word) is held together by prayer.
   • Without prayer, we drop our guard. With prayer, we stand firm against every attack.
3. Prayer Gives Boldness in the Battle
   • In verse 19, Paul says: “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.”
   • Prayer gives us boldness to speak the truth in a world full of lies.
   • The devil wants to silence God’s people, but prayer empowers us to proclaim the gospel without fear.
4. Prayer Advances God’s Kingdom Against Darkness
   • Verse 20 reminds us Paul was an ambassador in chains, yet he prayed for courage to keep preaching.
   • Prayer breaks chains—both spiritual and physical.
   • When we pray for the spread of the gospel, we push back the kingdom of darkness and establish the kingdom of God.

So, prayer is not just talking to God; it is warfare. It is the weapon that defeats the devil, strengthens the church, and advances the gospel.

Conclusion

Prayer is the last and most powerful weapon in our spiritual warfare. Without prayer, we are weak. With prayer, we are strong in the Spirit. Prayer is honesty, intimacy, transformation, power, and warfare. It defeats the schemes of the devil, gives us boldness, and keeps us standing firm in the battle. Let us always pray in the Spirit, on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers, for all God’s people. Let us be alert and stand firm together in Christ.