Devotions: The First and Last Line of Defense

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Ephesians 6:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

This is not a suggestion, but a command. We are to pray always, for everything. Nothing is too small or insignificant for God to take notice. He wants us to come to Him with everything, to keep that link open all the time. It helps grow our hearts, keeps us in line with Him, keeps us humble and thankful, and also reminds us of our need for Him. All of these are essential for godly growth and maintaining our relationship with Him. When it says to pray “in the Spirit”, it refers to allowing the Spirit to guide our prayers. It requires having a heart that is open to the Spirit’s leading (including conviction of sin), and also a heart that regularly confesses sin. Prayer is not only the battle ground, it is the battle. That is how we fight the schemes of the devil. That is why this verse says to be on the alert. We have to keep watch, defensive against the enemy’s subtle attacks. We also need to be attentive to the Spirit’s guidance, ready to act when He says to act, and speak what He instructs. We have to keep a humble, sensitive heart. One of the main things we are to pray for is other believers. We need each other, so we need to lift each other up regularly. We are all in a spiritual battle, and our prayers for others helps them wage their war. But we need to persevere. It is not easy. The enemy will do all he can to keep us away from prayer because he knows that is where he loses. He will use distractions, busyness, tiredness, whatever he has to to keep us thinking about this world and forgetful of the spiritual. In the words of Lysa Terkeurst, if he can isolate us, he can influence us. We always need to be on guard with prayer because the enemy never sleeps and we never have a time when we don’t need God. It is our first and last line of defense. Stay alert, stay humble, and keep praying!

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