BATTLE READY - The Need to Pray

THE NEED TO PRAY
Sunday, February 2nd Sermon Recap

Spiritual warfare is real, and in our "Battle Ready" series, we’ve examined the armor of God and the reality of the unseen battle. But at the close of Ephesians 6, Paul makes one thing abundantly clear: prayer is not just preparation for the battle—prayer IS the battle. It is the front line, the engagement, the connection to the very power of God that strengthens, sustains, and empowers us in the fight.

Paul tells the Ephesians: "Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)
The repetition of “pray, pray, pray” in Paul’s writing is not incidental—it’s central. Prayer is not a passive exercise; it is an active engagement with the divine. Throughout Scripture, we see that when God’s people pray, things move, battles are won, and His power is revealed.

Corrie Ten Boom, who survived the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, once said that her secret weapon was prayer. She famously stated:

"When Christians cease to gather together, the devil smiles. When they cease to read their Bible, the devil laughs. But when they cease to pray, the devil rejoices."

Prayer is not a backup plan. It is the lifeline. When Joshua prayed, the sun stood still (Joshua 10). When Daniel prayed, he was delivered from the lions' den (Daniel 6). When Elijah prayed, a child was resurrected, and the heavens withheld and later released rain (1 Kings 17-18). The early church prayed, and the Gospel spread to the ends of the earth.

Prayer changes everything.

Too often, prayer becomes a duty rather than a delight. Just like any relationship, when an interaction becomes an obligation rather than a joy, it loses intimacy and vibrancy. Whether in marriage, parenting, or friendships, we see how something once cherished can become a mere responsibility when our mindset shifts.

The same is true with prayer. We were created for relational communion with God. In Genesis, Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. After sin entered the world, that relationship was fractured. But through Christ, we are restored and invited to return to that intimacy.

• The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend. (Exodus 33:11)
• Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)

Jesus, Moses, David, and the psalmists modeled deep, relational prayer. The Psalms are filled with raw, intimate prayers—pleas for help, songs of gratitude, confessions of sin, and declarations of trust.

Prayer is not transactional; it is relational.

If prayer is so vital, why do we neglect it? Many of us see God as ready to scold us rather than hold us. Like a child avoiding a parent after breaking the rules, we fear God’s response to our failures.

But Scripture reassures us:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. (Psalm 103:8)

God is not waiting to rebuke you; He’s waiting to embrace you. When we plug into the power source of prayer, we experience His love, His presence, and His direction. Without it, we run on empty, powerless and disconnected.

Some lament that “the church is powerless today.” While moral failings are often blamed, the true disconnect comes from prayerlessness. A smartphone has incredible potential—until it’s disconnected from the charger. Likewise, the church and our individual lives lack power when we fail to connect with God in prayer.

If you’re ready to deepen your prayer life, here are some practical steps:

1. Speak to God as a Friend – Don’t get caught up in perfect words; just talk to Him honestly and openly.
2. Listen for His Voice – Prayer isn’t just talking; it’s also listening. God speaks when we are still before Him.
3. Use Scripture in Prayer – Align your prayers with God’s Word to reinforce trust in His promises.
4. Cultivate Consistency – Make prayer a daily habit, not just an occasional practice.

In addition, there are some great new opportunities to grow in your prayer life at Marsh Lane.

• Sunday Morning Prayer Services (9 AM) – A time of dedicated corporate prayer.
• The Armory – A prayer room where people intercede during the worship service.
• Daily Zoom Prayer (7 AM) – A virtual prayer gathering to start the day.
• Weekly In-Person Prayer Gatherings – Tuesdays at 7 AM and Wednesdays at 7 PM at the church.
• Prayer Partnerships – Get paired with a prayer partner for encouragement and accountability.

If any of this interests you, please let us know this Sunday!

We can either run from prayer or run to the One who desires to hold us. The choice is ours.
When Jesus prayed in John 17, He prayed for Himself, for His disciples, and for all believers to come—that includes you. He modeled an intimate, dependent, and persistent prayer life. Will you follow His example?

Prayer is the battle. It is the connection. It is the power source. And God is inviting you deeper. Will you step in?