After calling the church in Ephesus to put on the full armor of God, Paul emphasizes the necessity of prayer to stand firm in the fight. In this week’s message, we see the privilege of prayer, the power of prayer, and a biblical portrait of a faith-filled, abiding prayer life.

Drew’s Main Points

• We are to pray in the Spirit.
• We are to pray at all times.
• We are to pray all kinds of prayers.
• We are to pray with all perseverance.
• We are to pray for all the saints.
  

Key Takeaways

• Prayer is effective and essential to stand firm in spiritual warfare.

• Prayer is the means by which we activate the armor of God.

• By grace through faith in Christ, all Christians have total access to God. Prayer is one of our greatest privileges—enabling us to deepen in intimacy with the triune God.

• When we pray, we have God’s undivided attention. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we have immediate, unhindered access to Him.

• As Drew encourages, we are to have both scheduled and spontaneous times of prayer. God invites us to pray for not only big things, but small things, too.

• Prayer is the way we cultivate intimacy with Christ. Prayer is talking with God and fellowshipping with God.

• The ACTS prayer model includes four types of prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

• Satan is actively scheming to distract us, cause us to doubt the effectiveness of prayer, and destroy our faith.

• While Satan wants to destroy our faith, Jesus is interceding for us and praying that our faith will not fail.

• The mark of a true Christian is not that we never fall, but how we respond when we do.

• As guided by this passage, we are to prioritize praying for other believers to stand firm in the faith and for one another to proclaim the Gospel boldly.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• This week practice spontaneous and scheduled times of prayer. Incorporate the ACTS prayer model– Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.

• Who do you need to commit (or recommit) to pray for by name? Persevere in prayer!
  

Discuss with your community group:

• What issues of the heart and distractions are keeping you from experiencing deeper intimacy with God through prayer?

• What are some specific steps you can take as a group to elevate the value of prayer and more consistently and sincerely prayer for one another?

Passages Referenced for Further Study
Ephesians 6:18-20; Hebrews 10:19-22; Psalm 49:15; John 10:10; Luke 11:11-13; James 4:3; Luke 18:1: Luke 22:31-32; 1 Peter 5:8; Hebrews 7:25; James 4:7; Philippians 4:6-7.