Pattern of Seven: The Armor of God ~ Prayer in the Spirit

MERCY

Wisdom Principle – Fulfillment │Piece of God’s Armor – Prayer in the Spirit

Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18a

The Mercy Me in the Community of the Human Spirit

There are times the felt presence of the Lord is so near that it’s hard to type because of my watery eyes. This is one of those occasions. Wisdom’s principle of Fulfillment and piece of God’s Armor of prayer in the Spirit deeply touches the Mercy Me in the community of my own human spirit. Prayer has been vital.

I have often expressed in my writings that, for the one whose heart has been drawn to genuine commitment to the Lord, He is Love that is intent on doing a deep, thorough, and effective work in all we are and do. There is a lot of ground to cover in the field of our lives. Holy Spirit is more than equal to His appointed task.

While Paul did not single out one piece of Armor above another, he identified their unique part in the whole. It was evident the first five pieces were meant for defense of those critical areas within each of us. Not so the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. When the Word of God speaks, it is because Holy Spirit is illuminating the written Word entrusted to us for an offensive position in Him. From the light and rule of the Risen Christ flows truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation. The one who holds the sword for warfare is Mercy.

Mercy’s Warfare at the Mercy Seat

It was during the last five months of 2020 that the Mercy articles and year-end blessings were written. Mercy came running and unceremoniously overtook Teacher, who had to step aside for a time. Come 2021, Teacher began to flow, only to hit the pause button when my husband and I took our one-year Sabbatical. Three years and counting has been an intensified time in Holy Spirit’s classroom on yielding redemptive fruit that remains.

That does not come into fruition without Holy Spirit’s continued work when we’re standing on the battlefield.

The heavens of understanding parted with insight into Paul’s Armor of God and “putting on Christ.” It fanned even further the flame that was steadily burning from Warfare and the Mercy Seat (with Part 2). Then, more context was related in this series in The Armor of God ~ “In Addition to All This,…” (midway down).

True to form and purpose, Mercy has been marathoning among the whole holding up the ‘Goal’ sign. For someone who is not fleet of foot in the natural, my Mercy portion takes seriously fulfillment of our sure hope.

When Mercy Prays

In the Pattern of Seven chart, Arthur’s original material notes that the last sayings of Christ on the Cross parallels a challenge for that particular redemptive gift. In understanding spiritual warfare, such as was imparted to Paul during his imprisonment in the Roman jail, Christ’s final words on the Cross define the battle.

And none more so or less than for the Mercy portion, designed for fulfillment and not for futility.

When true worshipper Mercy prays, the Warrior heart of God is moved to act. As Mercy learns to love itself, and others – leaving payback and reckoning to God’s righteous judgment – Mercy is enabled by God’s grace to lend their measure of strength to the other six portions in the community of the human spirit.

Prayer in the Spirit

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18a

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He was teaching them the language of dependence upon their Father. To ‘pray in the Spirit’ is prevented for one who continues to endeavor living independently of God. I did not say you could not pray. But those who know the Father will grow in their understanding of praying.  

Jehovah-Shammah, Mercy’s accompanying compound Name of God, has proven time and again that He, the Lord is there. It is from this ground of assurance and stability that Mercy may pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. Mercy grows stronger with each opportunity to pray the prayers that align with the Father’s heart. Whether those prayers are for oneself or for others, Mercy’s muscle is prayer.

In so doing, Mercy finds this is indeed the place of God’s rest. Believers are not called or ‘anointed’ to strong-arm Him in prayer. We belong to Him, appointed to learn to bear ourselves and others on His strong right arm.

When Mercy Lends its Strength

“With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18b

As Paul moved to his conclusion on the Armor of God, he did not set aside what had just been laid out. He exhorted the believers to keep all the above in mind for the purpose of godly training in being alert. With alertness comes ‘all occasions’ and ‘all kinds of prayers and requests.’ Even more for God’s family of comrades.

Here is where the Mercy portion of one’s human spirit is designed to flow in the release that God has given. As one learns and yearns to stay near the heart of God, Mercy’s eyes are opened to His clarity. One’s Mercy lends its strength to the other six portions when Mercy has been much with Jesus. He is not futile.

How Mercy Prays

• Prophet’s Belt of Truth – Mercy prays for the revelation of truth to replace the lies of the evil one. Mercy well knows that without a continual unveiling of Christ as Truth, the enemy’s combat distorts God’s design and purpose.

• Servant’s Breastplate of Righteousness – Mercy prays for Servant’s authority with experiential knowledge that confession of sins and prayer for one another brings healing. Mercy lends their strength to Servant, having proven that the effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous person accomplishes much when God answers. (James 5:16)

• Teacher’s Feet & the Gospel of Peace – Mercy knows firsthand the weight and restraint of Teacher’s rights and responsibilities. Mercy prays that this one’s feet be fitted with a readiness that comes from the Spirit of the Lord and the gospel of peace. Mercy prays for redemption from the religious spirit.

• Exhorter’s Shield of Faith – Mercy is Exhorter’s strongest prayer ally, for Mercy is wise to the principle of sowing and reaping. Mercy moves in prayerful intercession for a strengthened grip on Exhorter’s faith in Christ Jesus. Mercy prays, aware of the power of redemptive sowing and reaping.

• Giver’s Helmet of Salvation – Mercy comes alongside Giver with prayerful reminders of their Head. Mercy’s lent strength springs from a heart that recognizes the redemptive difference between willful ownership and faithful stewardship of all that has been given by God. Mercy’s prayers protect Giver.

• Ruler’s Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God – With all this in mind, Mercy stands next to Ruler, interceding. Mercy seeks freedom’s rule and reign as the Living Word divides between life and death.

• Mercy’s Prayers in the Spirit – Once-stubborn Mercy’s cultivated heart of tenderness before the Lord is profitable in prayer. Led by the Spirit, Mercy’s inclinations to judge weaken as joy sets Mercy free.   

Wisdom’s House

Wisdom has built her house. Mercy, you are the seventh of Wisdom’s seven hewn-out pillars. Each one is cherished by God, crafted for the purposeful gift of grace it has been appointed to bear and to support.

Beloved Mercy, I bless you with finding and being at home in your place close to the Father’s heart. I bless you with His unending fresh mercies; His joy for your strength; His wisdom and clarity as He calls you to prayer.

I bless you with deepened dependence on His love and mercy as you rest your wait and weightiness on Him. I bless you, Mercy portion, with understanding and knowledge born of humility, of how to pray to Victory’s end.  

~ Nancy

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