Context not Pretext. a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason:

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2 Context not Pretext a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason: Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

3 Context not Pretext a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason: Phil 4: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

4 Context of Ephesians 6:10-20 Prayer that Overcomes. Not just about the Armour of God Ephesians 6:10 be strong in the Lord Ephesians 6:13-14 Stand your ground and stand firm.

5 Context of Ephesians 6:10-20 Prayer that overcomes Ephesians 6:18-20 Pray in the Spirit, Pray on all occasions, Pray with all kinds of prayers, Praying while being alert (watchful) Praying for all the Lord s people, Praying for Paul,(a personal prayer request) Pray that I may preach boldly (praying for his ministry)

6 Be Strong in the Lord

7 Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. wiles: (methodeia) cunning, tricky schemes methods

8 Prayer is a struggle against the devil s forces. Prayer that Overcomes, overcomes the world, the flesh and the devil. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith,...

9 Prayer that Overcomes. Prayer that brings victory. Prayer that conquers evil. Comes through Obedience.

10 For this place to be a House of Prayer for all Nations; it needs to be filled with a people who have decided to Obey Jesus. Prayer with no results is religious, an act of ritualism... but prayer that moves God is built on a peoples obedience. Last Week Jerome spoke to us about Obedience

11 Mat 6:5-10 NIV 5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

12 Mat 6:5-10 NIV 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (religious ritual) 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed (holy) be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

13 Prayer that is overcoming acknowledges the Holiness of God and the Will of God. Deals with Sin. and agrees with the Will of God

14 James 4:7-10 NIV 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.(get serious) 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

15 Causes of failure in Prayer: Secret Sin. Psalm 66:18 If I had regarded sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; regarded: to see, look after, observe and watch, consider, give attention to,...

16 Indifference: Proverbs 1:28-33 Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

17 Neglect of Mercy: Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

18 Despising the Law: Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.

19 Blood guiltiness: Isaiah 1:15 (angry at your brother) When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!

20 Stubbornness: Zechariah 7: "But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. 12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry. 13 " 'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the LORD Almighty.

21 Instability: James 1:6-7 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

22 Self-Indulgence: James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

23 Overcoming Prayer is built on Obeying God. Causes of failure in Prayer: Where God does not hear! Secret Sin: Psalm 66:18 Indifference: Proverbs 1:28-33 Neglect of Mercy: Proverbs 21:13 Despising the Law: Proverbs 28:9 Blood guiltiness: Isaiah 1:15 (angry at your brother) Stubbornness: Zechariah 7:11-13 Instability: James 1:6-7 Self-Indulgence: James 4:3

24 Obedience is being Strong in the Lord Being Strong in the Lord is resisting the temptation to disobey His direction and Word.

25 He Hears and Answers those who obey. 1John 3:22 NKJV And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

26 Obedience is being Strong in the Lord 1John 5:14-15 ESV And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

27 Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,fn against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.