Sunday evening October 11, the prayer ministry of Colonial was highlighted during our evening services as members of our intercessory prayer team lifted up concerns currently facing our Colonial family. Weekly, more than two hundred intercessors commit to pray for the spiritual success of the numerous ministries of Colonial.

Call to Prayer, a newsletter written for the purpose of encouraging Colonial’s prayer warriors, is published weekly by Care Ministries and includes principles intended to guide us to a more powerful prayer life. Following is an excerpt from the most recent issue. Be encouraged!
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The Apostle Paul teaches that prayer is essential for the Christian soldier who wants to acquire “Holy Spirit strength,” wear the armor, and wield the sword (Ephesians 6:13-17). We cannot fight the enemy, Satan, in our own strength; he is a powerful foe.

God provides His equipment for our spiritual battles: the belt of truth (v.14a); the breastplate of righteousness (v.14b); the shoes of the Gospel (v.15); the shield of faith (v.16); the helmet of salvation (v.17); and the sword of the Spirit (v.17b). Regardless of our natural skills and talents, we must depend on God’s strength when fighting spiritual battles.

When Amalek attacked Israel, Moses went to the mountaintop to pray. While Joshua used the sword down in the valley, Moses interceded for him with Aaron and Hur holding up his arms toward heaven. Defeating the enemy required their combined efforts supported by prayer.

Prayer is God’s power for victory—but, not just any kind of prayer. Paul gives specific points on how to pray in order to experience spiritual victory.

Pray All Prayers There is more than one kind of prayer: supplication (earnest petitioning); intercession (unselfish pleading); and thanksgiving (grateful uttering). Intentionally use all three kinds of prayer when addressing God on behalf of those who are ministering.

Pray Always “Pray without ceasing.” First Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to keep the lines of communication with God open at all times.

Pray in the Spirit Biblically, we are instructed to pray to the Father and the Son, in the Spirit. Romans 8:26-27 teaches that the only way to pray in the will of God is to pray in the Spirit’s power.

Pray with Your Eyes Open Ephesians 6:18 says, “With this in view, be on the alert.” The phrase watch and pray occurs often in Scripture.  When Nehemiah repaired the walls of Jerusalem and the enemy was trying to stop the work, the victory was obtained by watching and praying (Nehemiah 4:9).

Do battle rightly—suit up, pray up, power up—“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.” (1John 5:4)