Prayer mini sermon

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Sermon on Prayer Countryside 1-26-2020

Scripture Ephesians 6:18-20

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. [1]

Sermon Text:

          Most of us are familiar with the verses that precede these verses. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [2]

          But did you know that you were to pray on this armor? In fact, without prayer the armor can be rendered ineffectual. Another fact about verse 18 is the usage of the world all. We are to pray at all times. We pray with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. This means that we should be constantly in prayer for ourselves and all the world. We must pray on the armor of God, so that our prayers will be powerful and reach the ears of God.

Paul asks for prayer for himself, but this is not a self-centered request. Rather it is a request for God to work through him to proclaim the gospel to the people. You may have noticed that Paul mentioned he was in chains. When Paul wrote these words, he was on trial before Caesar Nero. Yet he does not pray for his release or his life rather he prays for the ability to boldly proclaim the word and the gospel for which he was in prison. So, we should always ask for prayer that we may be bold to speak of the Gospel at all times and in all places.

Prayer is a necessary tool for the proper wearing of the armor of God. Because it ties them all together in opposition to the devil and his henchmen. There are many types of praying. There is intercessory prayer, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of adoration, laments, and many others. All of them should be used with the armor of God. If we fail to pray on the armor of God, we may be susceptible to the schemes of the devil and his demons. Pray therefore at all times for all people especially for those in leadership positions in your local church that they may be strong to proclaim God’s message to the watching world.

Let us Pray, Holy God we thank you for allowing us to come to you in your son’s name. Approaching your throne is truly a privilege we do not take lightly. We know without the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus we could never come into your holy presence. We ask now that you will cloth each one here with your armor and that you would hear our prayer to make that armor effective against the devil and his schemes.


[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 6:18–20.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 6:11–18.

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