Making Ready for Battle

Making Ready for Battle . . . praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- Ephesians 6:18 Recommended Reading Philippians 4:6-7 Two soldiers, identically dressed and equipped with the finest battlefield armor and weapons, are sent into battle. One is given awards for bravery, while the other lives with the shame of having deserted his post. Such a rudimentary illustration points out a profound truth: There is more to victory in battle than armor and weapons. In military warfare terms, call it conviction, attitude, or readiness—the mental preparation that steels one against what might come. In spiritual warfare terms, call it prayer. Paul concluded his description of the Christian’s spiritual armor by exhorting the Ephesians to pray “always . . . in the Spirit” and to be “watchful . . . for all the saints.” Prayer is that spiritual connection with the One Who is our armor, Jesus Christ Himself. Prayer keeps us in a state of warfare readiness—“sober [and] vigilant” (1 Peter 5:8)—ever alert for the enemy who is walking about seeking someone to devour. Be committed to wearing your spiritual armor today. But don’t go into battle without the readiness that comes from prayer. It is in the closet that the battle is lost or won. Edward Payson Read-thru-the-Bible Job 35:1 - 37:24