In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul encourages us to “put on the full armour of God” in order to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. He paints a vivid picture of the spiritual battle that each believer faces, but he also emphasises the importance of prayer in our fight for faith and the life we are called to live. Through prayer, we seek to grow in holiness, unity, and fearlessness—traits that are central to our walk with God and to our mission as His church.

Let’s explore how these prayers are rooted in the temple of God—where heaven and earth meet—and how, through Jesus, that temple now lives in us.

The Temple: The Place Where Heaven Meets Earth

In the Old Testament, the temple was the place where God dwelled among His people. It was a sacred space where heaven and earth intersected, a place where the divine presence was experienced on earth. The temple was not just a building; it was the symbol of God's intimate relationship with His people. It was the heart of the community, a place where offerings were made, prayers were spoken, and worship took place.

However, with the coming of Jesus, the temple took on a new meaning. Jesus Himself became the fulfilment of the temple. In John 2:19-21, when Jesus is challenged about His authority, He says, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” The religious leaders were confused, thinking He meant the physical building. But John tells us, “But the temple He had spoken of was His body” (John 2:21). Jesus was the new temple, the place where heaven and earth met.

From Jesus to Us: The Spirit Dwells in Us

Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the temple was no longer confined to a building. In Matthew 27:51, when Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, symbolising the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we now have direct access to God. And even more profoundly, we become the temple of God ourselves.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." The Spirit of God now dwells in us, making us living temples. Heaven and earth meet within us, and we are called to live as holy vessels in a broken world.

As we consider the passage in Ephesians 6:10-20, we see that prayer is an essential part of the spiritual armor that we are called to put on. We are not meant to face the world’s challenges alone. Through prayer, we invite God’s power into our lives and, in doing so, make space for the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.

Praying Faithfully for Holiness, Unity, and Fearlessness

Paul urges us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18). This call to pray faithfully is not just a call to ask for things; it is a call to cultivate an ongoing, intimate relationship with God. As we pray, we align ourselves with His will and purposes, and we become more like Christ.

1. Praying for Holiness

Holiness is about being set apart for God’s purposes. It’s about living a life that reflects His character and seeking to honor Him in everything we do. Prayer is a vital part of growing in holiness. As we seek God in prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal areas where we need to grow in purity and righteousness.

In Ephesians 6, the armor of God includes the “breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14), which protects our hearts from sin. Through prayer, we ask God to help us live with integrity, to help us resist temptation, and to live in a way that reflects the holiness of the God who dwells in us.

2. Praying for Unity

Unity is essential for the body of Christ to function as it was intended. As living temples, we are not called to live in isolation, but to be part of a community that reflects Christ’s love and grace. Ephesians 4:3 urges us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Praying for unity is an act of humility. It is recognizing that we are all part of one body, and for that body to function properly, we must work together in harmony. Prayer is where we seek to align our hearts with God’s desire for peace and unity in the church. When we pray for unity, we ask God to help us overcome differences, to reconcile broken relationships, and to build a community that reflects His love and grace.

3. Praying for Fearlessness

As we live out our calling as temples of the Holy Spirit, we will face opposition. In Ephesians 6, Paul reminds us that we are in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil. But we are not called to live in fear. Instead, we are called to stand firm in the strength of the Lord (Ephesians 6:10) and to pray for courage in the face of adversity.

When we pray for fearlessness, we ask God to help us trust in His power and protection. We acknowledge that, though we face challenges, we do not have to face them alone. The armour of God is given to us so that we can stand firm, knowing that He is with us.

Praying Creatively, Scripturally, and Reactively

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul encourages us to pray “with all kinds of prayers and requests.” This shows that prayer is not limited to one form or style. We are invited to be creative in our approach to prayer, drawing on the many ways Scripture teaches us to communicate with God.

1. Creative Prayer

Creative prayer can take many forms. It can be silent, it can be spoken, it can be written down, or it can be sung. It can involve art, journaling, or even movement. The key is that it reflects the unique way God has wired us to communicate with Him. As we pray creatively, we invite the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us in ways that are fresh and dynamic.

2. Scriptural Prayer

Scripture is rich with prayers that can guide our own prayer lives. The Psalms, in particular, offer prayers of praise, lament, thanksgiving, and intercession that we can adopt as our own. In Ephesians 6:17, Paul encourages us to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” When we pray with Scripture, we are using God’s own words to align ourselves with His will. We pray His promises and declarations, and we allow His Word to shape our prayers.

3. Reactive Prayer

Finally, we must be open to reactive prayer—praying in the moment, when needs arise. Ephesians 6:18 reminds us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions.” This means that prayer is not just reserved for formal times of devotion but should be woven into the fabric of our daily lives. When we encounter challenges, we can react by turning to God in prayer, trusting that He will give us the wisdom, strength, and peace we need in that moment.



Conclusion

As we embrace our calling as temples of the Holy Spirit, prayer becomes the way we stand firm in holiness, unity, and fearlessness. Through prayer, we seek God’s will, ask for His guidance, and invite His power to transform us from the inside out. We pray creatively, scripturally, and reactively, knowing that prayer is a powerful weapon in the spiritual battle we face.

Let’s commit to standing firm in prayer, putting on the full armor of God, and praying faithfully for holiness, unity, and fearlessness. As we do, we reflect the presence of God in the world, becoming living temples where heaven meets earth.