We shall continue to look at spiritual warfare for the believer. Remember, true spiritual warfare is not about territory, but for the truth. Ephesians 6: 17 reads: "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...." Today, we look at the second weapon. Our second weapon of offense is prayer—“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” Praying in the Holy Spirit is not turning in a grocery list to God. Moreover, it is not speaking in some gibberish that no one understands. I remember being in a church in the 1970s that believed that you needed to speak in tongues to be saved. Around the altar I saw workers grabbing people's tongues and trying to shake them to have the person make noises they believed was the Holy Spirit. Let me assure you, the Holy Spirit does need your help. Praying in the Spirit means that you and I recognize our enemy and that we lay hold of God for spiritual resources. We lay hold of God for that which is spiritual that we might be filled with all the fullness of God. Paul here distinguishes between prayer and supplication. Prayer is general; supplication is specific. All effective prayer must be in the Spirit. Prayer is a glorious privilege, so why do so many Christians neglect prayer? The answer is that they do not know the Word. Pray without ceasing. More on this subject to come.
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