Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us what armor to put on; vs. 18 tells us how to put it on: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…” The sentence structure from verse 17 and 18 does not break—“praying always” is part of taking up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God).
From this verse we discussed prayer in the Christian life:
- We are called to be people of prayer (Luke 18:1)
- Praise God that He does hear our prayers (Psa. 65:2)
- We are to pray “in the Spirit”—led by Him, submitted to His will, praying according to what HE desires (Rom. 8:26, 1 Jn. 5:14)
- As new creatures in Christ, our focus needs to come away from fleshly things and center on the things of God (Matt. 16:23, Col. 3:1-3)
- Stay alert! Weakness sets in not because of the method of defense but lack of alertness (“watching thereunto with all perseverance”)