In reading Tom Elliff's A Passion for Prayer, I came across something that strongly emphasizes Ephesians 6:10-18, and wanted to share it. I think we really need to realize how important it really is to put on the whole armor of God when we pray.

The following is from Tom Elliff's A Passion for Prayer:

Satan’s Opposition To Prayer

To enjoy effective prayer, we must not only avoid errors that will get in the way of God’s answers - we must also remember key spiritual truths concerning prayer. We will consider, for instance, our enemy, who opposes prayer.

We must ever keep in mind that to engage in prayer is to enter the arena of spiritual warfare. We are reminded in Ephesians 6:12 we do not wrestle against the 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. For this reason Paul encourages us to put on the whole armor of God and praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.

The prophet Daniel experienced a delayed answer to prayer because of satanic opposition. After many days of asking God to show mercy to rebellious Israel, he was approached by a heavenly messenger who said, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days: and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia” (Dan 10:12-13). From Daniel’s experience we get a glimpse of the warfare that rages between the forces of heaven and hell when a Christian prays.

If we understand the warfare that surrounds our prayers, we will put on the armor of God and exercise our authority by praying:
1. In the name of Jesus (I.e., based on our position in Christ)
2. Because of the shed blood of Jesus (representing Satan’s defeat)
3. On the basis of God’s revealed will (what God has spoken to our hearts through His Word)

We must each remember that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)