…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel…

  - Ephesians 6.18, 16

Whether we fully grasp this truth or not, as Christians we are at war. 

Paul warns us of the danger and calls us to arm ourselves for this conflict. He commands us to take the “belt of truth,” breastplate of righteousness,” “shield of faith”, “helmet of salvation”, and the “sword of the Spirit.”  We’re perhaps quite familiar with these weapons.

But let’s focus on a section that is often overlooked. Verses 18 and 19 charge us to be praying at all times, in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

So Paul in this extended image of warfare has flaming darts, helmets, belts, shoes, shields, and swords; but prayer is foundational to each of these.

Prayer is the battle dress of the ready Christian man. Are you ready for battle?

These are not just prayers for our own spiritual wellbeing. Paul instructs us to pray for the body (“supplication for all the saints”) and for the spreading of the Gospel (“and for me, that utterance may be given to me”). 

These are not one-sentence prayers but reflect an ongoing, focused effort. Paul uses words such as “perseverance”, “at all times”, and “for boldness.”  To the extent that we acknowledge that Christ is our righteousness and our strength, we will be led to pray passionately that He will move in the hearts of others. 

It is not coincidental that the church in the US that prays so seldom is ineffective in spiritual warfare. 

We need to pray, brethren. And we need to get other men to pray as well. You wouldn’t think of going to your place of employment without being properly dressed. How can you think about going into battle for the Lord each day without the battle dress of prayer?

If you haven’t ordered your copies of If Men Will Pray we encourage you to do so. Click this link to order your copies today. Then find another Christian man to take the 30-day prayer challenge with you.

We promise: You will never be the same.

Please let us know specifically how we can pray for you. Send your requests to T. M. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we’ll see to it your requests are held up before the Lord as you fight the good fight of prayer with us.

Ralph Lehman, Men’s Prayer Coordinator
T. M. Moore, Principal

Download “Men of the Church: A Solemn Call” for free by clicking this link. Make copies for all the men you know, and urge them to join you in this movement of Men at Prayer.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.