By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." - NIV
Paul adds the importance of Spirit led prayer in spiritual warfare. There are various kinds of prayers and requests suiting various situations of life we go through. Prayer in the Spirit helps to offer suitable prayer relevant for all occasions. Some will be with words known, others in words unknown as He leads. Why is Spirit led prayer important in spiritual conflict?
The Spirit knows the mind of God and the dynamics of the spirit world. He connects us with God, enables us pray according to His will, gives battle strategy to address exactly what we should address in the spirit. He uses the sword of the word to assault the forces of darkness.
We are so limited as humans in understanding the spirit world, and yet that’s where battles are fought and won, and decisions are determined. Those who understand the spirit world operation always win. What appears physically is a manifestation of what is happening in the spirit.
Whoever is in charge in the spirit determines what happens in the physical world. The forces we fight against, in their rankings and territorial control of world affairs, are spiritual(Eph 6:12). With the help of the Holy Spirit through perpetual different prayer directions, our victory is sealed over these powers. The Holy Spirit empowers and leads us to exercise authority over situations. That’s how we reign with Christ, and the reason for the call to pray without ceasing.
Luke 18:1 "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up…"
Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."
Shalom children of God.