If prayer is hard for you, let me offer two suggestions that have been helpful to me. First, schedule a time. Put a reminder on your phone. Add it to your calendar. From 12:00 to 12:15, I am going to have focused prayer time. We schedule what we prioritize. Second, consider praying the psalms or using a liturgy. If you don’t have the words to pray, it’s okay to get some help. There are many great prayers for saints over the years that can give FORM to your requests.
Here is the truth, when prayer is applied to the sword, it sets it on FIRE! This is WARFARE PRAYER! We should never go into battle against our enemy without praying. And, even when we are in battle, we should never STOP praying. Pray without ceasing Paul tells us elsewhere. How should we pray? Paul offers a few qualifiers.
First, “In” the Spirit, but what does this mean? It does not refer to speaking in tongues. Rather, it means to “seek the Spirit’s guidance, direction, and help constantly in prayer.” Practically, this means that the Spirit stands beside us, showing us how to pray and for whom to pray. Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit to help you pray? Here is a helpful image from author Rob Ventura.
ILLUSTRATION
A small boy was being taught by his father how to steer a ship. As the boy began to steer, his father stood directly behind him. The father knew that if he didn’t help his son, the boat would crash on the rocks or be swept away in the swift current. The father did not push his son aside, though, telling him it would be better for the father to take the helm. He leaned over his son, put his hands upon his son’s hands, and then guided his son’s hands on the wheel.
Through the father’s guidance the son steered the ship to safety. Likewise, my friends, we pray best when the Spirit grips our hearts and guides our thoughts, steering us in the course that he has charted for us. Just as his boy could not steer the ship on his own, so we cannot pray rightly without the Holy Spirit. Let us have confidence in him and seek to be filled with him (Eph. 5:8).
Second, we should pray on “All” Occasions. Or, it can be translated at all times. Believers need to be in a constant state of prayer because we are under constant attack! Our enemy does not stop coming for us. Resist the devil, fight back with the sword!
Third, with all kinds of “prayers” and “requests.” In other words, we should use every conceivable prayer at our disposal in warfare. The word requests is also translated supplication, which means to “beg or plead” for other people. In spiritual warfare use every conceivable prayer at your disposal for yourself and others. Prayer is crucial for the health of the church! The great preacher Charles Spurgeon captures the power of prayer for the church:
"What can we do without your prayers? They link us with the omnipotence of God. Like the lightning rod, they pierce the clouds and bring down the might and mysterious power from on high…. The Lord give me a dozen importunate pleasers and lovers of souls and by his grace we will shake all London from end to end."
I love that image, prayer brings the LIGHTNING from heaven. What follows lighting? FIRE! Prayer is what lights the sword of the Spirit on FIRE! What can we do without prayer? Church, are we praying? One thing I can tell you is that we are under assault everyday. Satan wants to make our church ineffective for the kingdom. We push back the kingdom of darkness through PRAYER! When we engage in warfare prayer, we can shake Basking Ridge, New Jersey from end to end!
MBC's Bible Engagement Plan
MBC’s Bible Engagement Plan: Isaiah – From Ruin to Redemption
As a church community, our desire is to move from hearing God’s Word to living it out daily. This Bible Engagement Plan is designed to help us walk through Isaiah together in a weekly rhythm that deepens our understanding while also cultivating habits of daily reading and reflection.
- LISTEN TO THE SUNDAY SERMON
Each week begins with the Pastor’s Sunday sermon on a passage from Isaiah and includes
- Pastor’s Outline: A guide to follow along and take notes. We also suggest picking up the Isaiah scripture journal from the Welcome Center.
- Discussion Questions: Provided to encourage reflection and conversation in small groups, families, or personal study. If you are not already part of a small group, consider joining one this Fall: Click here to explore one of MBC’s small groups
- READ AND REFLECT ON THE WEEKLY PLAN
Monday through Saturday, follow the suggested reading plan outlined in the Saturday eNews Bulletin. As you read and reflect on your passage each day, ask these two guiding questions and jot down your thoughts in your Isaiah journal.
- What does this passage reveal about God—His character, His purposes, or His promises?
- How should I respond in light of what I’ve read—through trust, obedience, repentance, or worship?
- MEMORIZE THE WEEKLY KEY VERSE
Every week, one key verse from the sermon will be highlighted for memory. You are invited to use the free Bible Memory app and join the “Millington Baptist Church” Bible memorization group: Click here to join
- READ AND REFLECT ON THE PASTOR’S DEVOTIONAL BLOG
Each Wednesday, one of our pastors will share a devotional expanding on the sermon theme helping to connect Isaiah’s message to everyday life.
Why This Rhythm Matters
- Immersion: This plan helps you engage learning in multiple ways—hearing, reading, memorizing, and reflecting—so you gain a richer understanding of Isaiah’s message.
- Transformation in Community: Discussion questions and shared readings create space for us to learn together and nurture application of the biblical principles into our daily lives.
Questions or comments?
Contact Amy Huber, Director of Discipleship and Connections: ahuber@millingtonbaptist.org
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Pastor Bob Erbig and Pastor Dave Hentschel
