Think Again!

Appendices • 167

The Spirit and Prayer We need the Holy Spirit to help us use the Word, and prayer helps us engage the various trials and situations that emerge. The Bible (the sword of the Spirit) should be used with skill and guidance in conjunction with prayer. We are constantly thrown into situations that need all kinds of wisdom. Dr. Don Davis has referred to prayer as the “walkie-talkie of faith.” Through prayer, we ask for the necessary firepower we need in precarious situations. The truth of God’s Word needs to be applied with dexterity and wisdom. We apply offensive tactics, resisting the devil so he will flee (James 4.7; 1 Pet. 5.9). We also keep alert with perseverance. We pray for one another because if I am not in a chaotic moment, it is guaranteed that others are. The Spirit is constantly at work, giving us power, and making his Word known to us. As the Author of the Bible, he guides us to handle the Word while we pray all manner of prayers for ourselves and others. To Advance the Gospel In all this use of armor, we long to advance the gospel (Eph. 6.19-20). Paul asks for prayer, summarizing all the previously mentioned themes of Ephesians: • We have riches beyond description • We have an adversary trying to dispossess us • We have power and equipment to resist our dispossession Christ Is Our Armor The armor is given to us, and we must exercise our mind, will, and emotions to engage in spiritual warfare. But in another sense, the armor is a picture of God’s provision in Christ. In several places we are told to “put on Christ” (Rom. 13.4; Col. 3.12;