As we look at what is happening in the world globally, we realize that we are in a struggle. Good is being called evil and evil is being called good (Isaiah 5:20). The world is being turned upside down and righteousness is being swallowed up. On a natural plane, it appears as though the forces of wickedness are winning. But we cannot be deceived by that. Instead, we must understand how our battle is to be fought and won. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. It is not against leaders or political parties. It is not against wicked people who are possessed and driven by these powers and principalities. Rather, our battle is directly “against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).1
The powers of darkness are at war against God’s Kingdom, against Christ as His King, against us as God’s people, and ultimately against the ability for God to establish His Kingdom on this earth. A lot is happening now globally. We are directly up against world forces of wickedness that are working throughout the world in their fight against the plan of God. So that brings up the question, “Is our prayer effective in these things?” And the answer to that is yes! How is it being effective? Paul continues, “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth” (Ephesians 6:14). We are to appropriate the elements of God’s personality into our own lives. And the number one thing God has provided for us in this warfare is His truth.
Truth is gone from this generation. It has been swallowed up by these spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places that are taking over. But we know the truth and the truth will make us free (John 8:32). We are to retain the truth and not be deceived or sucked into the lies of this age with its woke mentality. How do we do this? We put on the breastplate of righteousness. We live in righteousness. Righteousness is what God says to do and what He says to think. It is what the Scriptures teach us. We are to take up the shield of faith by which we can “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:16–17). These are the things that bring us into a life of righteousness. In this generation we must be given to knowing, rehearsing, memorizing, and living the Word of God. That is the truth. That is the plumb line. The Word holds us in our positioning with God and His plan.
Paul concludes his instruction by saying, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). We should pray daily in the Holy Spirit, praying in tongues or however you term it. We are praying on a natural realm using spiritual words in that prayer. It is the Holy Spirit praying through us. Our prayers reach into the world of spirit and work within the world of spirit to accomplish the will of God. So I encourage us that our prayer is effective. We should continue to pray, seek Him, and reach in for all that He has—until every enemy be made a footstool of Christ’s feet and He returns to establish His Kingdom on this earth (Hebrews 10:13).
1 All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).