Standing in Prayer

Scripture: Ephesians 3:10-11; 6:10, 13, 18

To be an effective weapon in the Lord’s hand, I must be properly related to God with respect to my position in Him, my confession of sin, my obedience to Him, and my standing with Him in the battle He has already fought and won. My position, my obedience, and my standing are important. 

Paul used three words in Ephesians to express this importance in the Christian life – sit, walk, stand. Your position is seated with Christ in the heavenlies, walking out practical obedience of Christ’s holiness, and standing in the strength of Christ against your enemies. 

The letter to the Ephesians is divided in this way. Notice that Ephesians 6:10 begins, “Finally,” i.e., after doing all the following, then stand. After knowing your position in Christ and walking in an obedient lifestyle, then be strong in the Lord and stand. You must first sit before you can walk. Only those who walk can stand in the day of battle.

SIT	WALK	STAND
Seated in the authority of Christ (Eph. 2:6)	Walking in obedience to Christ (Eph. 5:15-17)	Standing on the foundation of Christ (Eph. 6:13-14)
Position of covenant in Christ	Actions of a  holy life in Christ	Aggressive prayer, assured of victory in Christ
Ephesians 1-3	Ephesians 4:1-6:9	Ephesians 6:10-24

Vain talk, not backed up with a life of humility and obedience, has no power. For the kingdom of Christ is not a matter of talk, but of power (1 Cor. 4:20). Everything has been conquered already in Christ. We are positioned in his victory to enforce the enemy’s defeat, a legal fact guaranteed in heaven. 

Ephesians 6:18 explains what the standing is all about – It is about prayer. The Christian life is fueled by the Word of God and prayer. Don’t just ‘talk the talk’ – ‘walk the walk.’

Pray that you will live according to the Ephesians pattern of Sit, Walk, Stand. Jesus’ sacrifice of blood has already bought your position for you. Now “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of” you (Phil. 3:12). 

You learn fearless trust when there is nothing left to trust but the Cross. So He will root out every idol in which you trust to bring you to full, stout trust in Him alone.  Ask God to root out every area of disobedience in you, every dark corner, every unsurrendered place. Take captive everything for obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).

Adapted from Sylvia Gunter, Prayer Essentials for Living in His Presence vol. 1 (Birmingham, AL: The Father's Business, 2000).