Spirit Prayer

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. (6:18)

How does prayer figure in to the whole armor of God? Is it a part, and if so, what part does it play?

The translators and publishers of the New Living Translation (NLT), which is the translation used in this book, puts a paragraph break at the start of this verse. It is, though, still in the same section of the NLT labeled ‘The Whole Armor of God.’ The pieces of the armor are found within the paragraph that covers verses 13-17. The content of verse 18 is a different thought, and looks, on first reading, to be separate from the discussion about the armor.

It seems to me that Paul intended for prayer to be part of this armor, though it is different in that it is not identified with a particular corresponding piece of soldier’s equipment. The Message paraphrase includes this verse about prayer as explicitly part of the armor and in the same paragraph:

“In the same way, prayer is essential in the ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long.”

My conclusion as to its part in the armor discussion and teaching is this: prayer is not a separate piece, but the activity by which all of this armor is put on, and by which we stand firm in the battle with the Enemy. 

Prayer is that activity of communication with God, either talking to or with God, and listening to God. But apart from the ‘mechanics’ of prayer, at the heart of the matter, prayer is an indicator of our dependence on God.

Thus, as we assume a position of warfare and engagement with the Enemy, we are overwhelmingly in a position of God-dependence. He is equipping us for the battle with the armor that is necessary. We are not in any way on our own. All that we need is provided by him, and we look to him to give us that which we need, when we need it. We declare that dependence! God doesn’t say to us: “You’ve got what you need! You are on your own! Go fight! And I hope to see you back here at headquarters—hope you survive and make it! Good luck!”

That’s not our God. He equips us, sends us, protects us, provides for us, goes before us and behind us. Our prayerful posture before him is to remember that he is in charge and equipping us in this fight. He is providing us what is necessary as we resist the Enemy and stand firm in our position of victory.

Another part that prayer plays in this is to provide the means by which we are clothed, and by which we reach out and clothe friends and family. That is, by prayer, we ask the Father to dress for battle our loved ones, piece by piece. We put on the armor by prayer—on ourselves and on others. We ask God to clothe us (this asking is part of the essence of prayer) and to clothe our loved ones, our fellow soldiers. 

What kind of praying is this? Paul identifies this warfare prayer as praying in the Spirit. This can take different forms, and does not appear to be limited to just one way of praying. At the base of understanding, this is prayer with the Spirit’s help, and with total dependence. We are not even praying on our own! That is good news. The Holy Spirit is initiating the prayer in our hearts, prayer that flows out of us and back to God.

This Spirit prayer can come out as groans we can’t understand, languages we haven’t learned, with ideas we haven’t had. It can come out in a veritable torrent of words and emotion and expressions.  The point is that we are giving God freedom to “pray through us”, to bring ourselves completely before Him in self-examination, revelation, and fortification. We are taking our marching orders from the Spirit, and he is delivering those as we communicate with Him.

What is the duration of this praying in the Spirit? Paul identifies it as “at all times” and “on every occasion”. How do we live up to this? I describe it this way:

The Holy Spirit makes us aware and alert. He prods our spirit to be receptive. He informs us about Enemy disruption, either underway or forthcoming. So, we never meet a situation in which the Holy Spirit is not involved in our lives. “I welcome you, Holy Spirit,” is an appropriate, constant prayer. Also, “Alert me, Holy Spirit to what I need to know,” and “Equip me, Holy Spirit, for what lies ahead.” There is no situation or experience or decision in which we announce, “God, I’ve got this. Don’t need you this time! [Though I know you would help if I called you. Thanks.]”

We never reach that point. We never come to that juncture in our spiritual walk. We are always in a prayer posture, by which we demonstrate with words or actions, “Holy Spirit of God, I need you, depend on you, and desire your presence! I submit to you! What are you saying to me? To us as a Body? What is the action that you want me, and us, to take? What areas of vulnerability do I need to strengthen? Where have I left myself exposed, and that needs to be tightened up? What strength are you wanting to develop more fully in me?”

Praying “at all times” and “on every occasion” in this spiritual battle does not mean that we are only and always kneeling in prayer, or on our faces reciting prayers or waiting on God. It does mean that the channels of communication with the Holy Spirit are constantly open, ready for instruction, ready for prodding, ready for awareness-raising, and ready for action.

By prayerful dependence on God the Holy Spirit, we put on the whole armor, we constantly stand ready in battle, and we find insight, resolve, and strength when the Enemy approaches us and engages us.

“Father, thank you for the whole armor-instruction to pray at all times. Teach us what that means. Show us its importance and power. Keep us from self-reliance! Without you, we are nothing. With you, we have everything we need. Remove any blockages, currently in place or potentially active, that keep us from full dependence on you in the engagements which come our way. We pray this in the strong name of the conquering Son of God, Jesus the King!”