"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints? (Ephesians 6:18).

We are in a state of spiritual warfare. This is made clear in a remarkable passage (vv. 10-18) on the spiritual armor of the believer, equipping him for the great battles he must fight.

A glimpse of this warfare also can be seen in Daniel 10. When Daniel prayer, God sent the answer immediately, but it was twenty-one days before the angel conveying the answer got to Daniel. The answer was hindered by the "prince of the kingdom of Persia? (Daniel 10:13), even though Daniel, himself, was situated in Persia. The implication is that key emissaries of Satan (not flesh and blood) (Ephesians 6:12) rule over each geographic area of the world. Not one inch of progress will be uncontested by Satan and his cohorts.

Paul warns of the "wiles? (v. 11) of Satan, which mean stratagems or specific plans directed toward each of us. In other words, Satan tailors his attacks to fit each person.

The hierarchy within the Satanic organization is mentioned as well (v. 12). Remember that we are also fighting a countless host of demons and fallen angels who are now in league with Satan.

Since we are in a very real war, we need to be dressed in full armor. In this passage, the only unprotected part is the back. This surely implies that we must not turn and run.

We must also note where the battle is being fought. This information is given in verse 18. The first activity mentioned once we have donned the armor is PRAYER. The place and time of prayer will be focal point of the battle.

However, we can go into battle knowing that we are not alone (v. 18 tells us the Spirit is there). Satan is already defeated. Remember, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world? (I John 4:4). JGH

Days of Praise, (ICR, El Cajon, CA; December, January, February, 1998), page for January 30