Message Video & Notes

MESSAGE NOTES
How to Live in Victory: Pray in the Spirit 

Ephesians 6:18-23

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. 

21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. 

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

3 Understandings about prayer  

1. Prayer is a conversation with God through the Holy Spirit.

2. Prayer is horizontal, not just vertical.

3. Prayer has an underlying purpose. 

Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

Understanding 1: Prayer is a conversation with God through the Holy Spirit.

• Key Concept: To be a follower of Jesus without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. – Martin Luther  

• Key Verse:  Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   

• Community Group Application: In community groups we learn and develop the basics of prayer. We continue to grow when we participate in times of prayer with others at church.

Ephesians 6:18c, 19a, and 21-22  

and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, 

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. 

Understanding 2: Prayer is horizontal, not just vertical.

• Key Concept: The most important thing we can do for others and they can do for us is to pray.  

• Key Verse: Luke 11:2-4 - He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.”

• Community Group Application: We learn to pray by praying together in a community group for each other and for others to come to know Jesus.  

Ephesians 6:19–20  

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. 

Understanding 3: Prayer has an underlying purpose.

• Key Concept: Preaching is important but prayer is the key in building Jesus’ kingdom. – Jim Cymbala  

• Key Verse: 1 John 5:11-12 - And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 

• Community Group Application: Every follower of Jesus has a purpose - to reach others; every community group has a purpose - to multiply new groups; every church has a purpose - to expand Jesus' Kingdom.