We might think the letter to the Ephesians, written from a prison cell (cf. Ephesians 3:1), would call the Romans the great force opposing Christians. But the apostle Paul’s vision was far more cosmic. “We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens,” he wrote. He used the image of soldier’s armor, but the actual spiritual armor he used came into view in verse 18: “Offer prayers… all the time.”

• To the Ephesians, Paul wrote, “Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time.” To Christians in Thessalonica, he wrote, “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). But Paul clearly led a very active life—he didn’t kneel by his bed all day, every day. What have you found that helps you to go through even busy days in a spirit and attitude of prayer? What value do you see in nurturing a continual connection with God?
• What do you make of Paul’s words (which fit well into Roman, Greek and Hebrew views of the universe) about “rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens”? Do you see video beheadings, deceitful invasions and police shootings as just expressions of “human cussedness,” or does there seem to be something bigger and darker at work against God’s kingdom? In what ways do you need spiritual armor to keep you “strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength”?