Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:18 NKJV

I always used to think that we had only 6 pieces of battle armor as described in Ephesians 6, however it has been brought to my attention through trusted disciple friends and reputable bible teachers that there are in fact 7 pieces of battle armor. The number 7 in Scripture always refers to completeness/wholeness and perfection. Therefore, it makes sense to me that God would give us 7 pieces of battle armor with which to protect ourselves and fight off the enemy.

Praying in tongues is one way we pray in the Spirit. This is our personal spirit language given to us by the Holy Spirit once we have been filled with God’s Spirit. Praying in tongues is a very powerful weapon which can be used against the enemy in spiritual warfare, but it also forms part of our prayer life with God. I believe that praying in the Spirit also includes praying prayers which are led by the Holy Spirit, but for now I would like to focus on praying in tongues for this part of the message.

I have heard of disciples who start praying in tongues as soon as they smell demons. From what I have heard and based on my personal experience, demons can carry an unpleasant smell of either urine, feces, cigarette smoke, burning, sulphur, vomit or anything unclean. I have also been led by the Holy Spirit on several occasions to pray in tongues when I have smelled demons.

I would like to share one specific experience I had a few weeks ago as a testimony of how praying in the Spirit is part of our spiritual warfare. One particular day, I started smelling men’s cologne everywhere I went. This smell almost seemed to follow me everywhere I went. I knew something was off, because the smell wasn’t pleasant but instead it was overpowering. I believe God gave me the revelation that it was a demon following me around. I tried rebuking it, I tried using Scripture to get it to flee, I tried to use the authority God has given us over demons, but it still seemed to follow me. I prayed and asked God for His wisdom and council. I also asked God to reveal to me if it was a temptation I was facing or if I was in sin, but God helped me to understand that the way I was going to get the victory over this enemy was to pray in tongues. In obedience I started praying in tongues and as I did so, I heard the Holy Spirit say to me, “It will flee.” This was the confirmation I needed to give me peace in knowing that the instruction was from God, and if I just continued to pray in tongues as instructed, this enemy would flee – and it did. Praise God for His goodness!

We will all go through times where we feel the need to pray, but we may not know why or what for. I believe at these times the Holy Spirit is prompting us to pray in the Spirit. Scripture tells us that at these times the Holy Spirit prays through us because he knows what we need, and He knows how to help us. These prayers may be for ourselves, or for others (intercessory prayer).

Likewise the (Holy) Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the (Holy) Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the (Holy) Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27 NKJV

May I kindly encourage us to spend time with our precious Lord Jesus in prayer, praying in the Spirit knowing that God is listening and willing to help us in all things.

I pray these words bless and encourage you all in Jesus mighty name.