“Put on the panoply of God.” (Ephesians 6:11)
The panoply includes a belt, a breastplate, shoes, a shield, a helmet, and a sword. Not for physical matters, but for spiritual matters.
The metaphor the apostle picks up and uses sets the stage for the seriousness of the work of prayer. When Paul moves beyond the metaphor he doesn’t move past warfare. The discussion about the armor of God is helpful to alert the follower of Christ to the seriousness of the (evil) day.
The armor of God is not the point to Ephesians 6:10-20. Prayer is the focus. Prayer is the work. Prayer is the discipline. Prayer is the need.
Saint, to your appointed post. Pray!
No period of life should be without prayer:
- youth demands it.
- mid-life needs it.
- old age requires it.
No condition of life should prayer ever be set aside:
- adversity
- prosperity
- temptation
- trial
- sunshine
- challenge
- desolation
- depression
- personal
Prayer is our task while going boldly into the morning, noon, dusk, and the full cover of night of life.
Satan’s strategy is that you and I treat prayer more like a butlers bell and only for matters of personal comfort. If all we use prayer for is for comfort and ease of life we will not likely want to use it for its intended work. Prayer is not a bell we ring to call up the butler to come fluff the pillow. Prayer is not a bell sitting on the night stand to have someone come increase comfort or alleviate discomfort.
No, prayer is more like a walkie-talkie that a soldier who is fully armed continually uses to call in holy fire power to push back darkness and advance the gospel.
