Breathe In, Stand Strong: The Life-Giving Atmosphere of Prayer

Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman

Have you ever felt like you were geared up for a battle but forgot the most essential thing? In our spiritual lives, we often focus on having the right tools—the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit. We suit up with the full armor of God, ready to face the day. But what if we’re missing the very atmosphere we need to survive, let alone fight? In his final words to the Ephesian church, the Apostle Paul unveils this vital element. It’s not another piece of armor but the very environment in which the warrior lives and breathes: prayer.

The Spiritual Breath of Life
In the beautiful complexity of the Hebrew language, the words for "breath" and "spirit" are deeply intertwined. The word neshamah means breath, but it also means soul or spirit—the very essence of life that God breathed into Adam at creation (Genesis 2:7). Similarly, the word ruach can mean breath, wind, or the Spirit of God Himself. From the very beginning, our physical breath has been a picture of our spiritual reality: "The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4). Every breath is a gift, a reminder that our life comes from Him.

Spiritually, prayer is our neshamah, our ruach. It is the constant, life-sustaining exchange with our Creator. Just as our physical lives depend on the unconscious rhythm of inhaling and exhaling, our spiritual vitality depends on the conscious rhythm of speaking to and listening to God. Prayer is not just an action we perform; it is the spiritual air we breathe. With every petition and praise, we exhale our trust in Him, and in the quiet moments of listening, we inhale His peace, strength, and wisdom. This is why the Psalmist declares, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Psalm 150:6). Our very breath is meant for communion. Prayer is the atmosphere that fills our spiritual lungs and empowers us to stand strong.

Prayer: The Activator of Our Armor
A soldier can have the most advanced gear in the world, but without oxygen, that equipment is useless. The same is true for our spiritual armor. The sermon text reminds us that prayer is what activates each piece, transforming it from a passive defense into an active, Spirit-powered force. It's through prayer that we draw upon "the power of His might" to effectively stand against the enemy's schemes.

When the fiery darts of doubt, fear, and discouragement fly your way, it is prayer that activates the shield of faith. Faith is trusting in what we cannot see, and prayer is the active expression of that trust. As you pray, you are consciously lifting that shield, declaring in the face of uncertainty, "I believe God is who He says He is, and He will do what He has promised". It’s in those moments of prayerful dependence that we find the strength to "quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16), finding our ultimate protection in Him.

When the accuser whispers lies about your identity—that you are not worthy, forgiven, or secure—prayer activates the helmet of salvation. Our minds are the primary battlefield, but through prayer, we can "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Prayer realigns our thinking with the unshakable truth of the Gospel. It reminds us that we belong to God, and because our salvation is secure in Him, nothing Satan or the world can do can ultimately harm us. In prayer, we reaffirm our identity not in our performance, but in His finished work on the cross.

When you don't know how to wield the truth in a difficult conversation or a moment of temptation, prayer activates the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Jesus modeled this perfectly in the wilderness. He countered every temptation with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11), yet His entire life was sustained by an atmosphere of prayer. It is in our private communion with God that He sharpens this sword, bringing His words to our remembrance and giving us the divine wisdom and love to speak truth, defend against lies, and drive the enemy away.

Prayer is the vital atmosphere that surrounds and empowers every Christian warrior. It is our direct line to our Commander, our very source of power, making our defense impenetrable and our stand for Christ effective. It is through this constant communion—praying "always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18)—that we truly become strong in the Lord.

Cultivating a life-giving prayer rhythm doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a handful of practical steps inspired by Paul's encouragement:

Make Prayer Your First Response, Not Your Last Resort. How often do we try to fix, figure out, and force a solution, only to say, "Well, I guess all that's left to do is pray"?  Let's flip the script. Before you check your phone in the morning, before you react to that stressful email, take a moment. Breathe. Make prayer your instinctive first response, not your final option.

Diversify Your Dialogue. Prayer is so much more than a list of needs. The sermon reminded us of the many types of prayer: humble supplication, intercession for others, heartfelt confession, and joyful thanksgiving.  Try dedicating different days of the week to different types of prayer to create a more balanced and rich conversation with God.

Pray Watchfully. Paul encourages us to be "watchful" in prayer, which means being alert and focused.  If you find your mind wandering, try praying out loud, walking as you pray, or writing your prayers in a journal. This helps engage your body and mind, keeping you from the "drowsiness and preoccupation" that can so easily distract us.

Lock Shields with Others. Even the Apostle Paul, who received revelation directly from God, knew he couldn’t stand alone. He pleaded with the church, "Pray also for me."  Spiritual warfare is not a solo mission. Find a trusted friend, join a small group, and be intentional about praying for one another. This shared atmosphere of prayer creates a unified front that the enemy cannot easily penetrate. We are truly stronger together.

Our Christian walk is built upon the incredible pillars of peace with God, the love that unites us, the faith that makes us strong, and the grace that sustains us.  Prayer is the atmosphere that surrounds and energizes all of it.

Today, don't just put on your armor. Step into the life-giving air of God's presence.

Breathe in. Stand strong.