How are soldiers prepared for war? They must endure difficult training and face all challenges head-on, so they may have a chance in a day of strife. Likewise, we are entering into the final stage of the battle between good and evil, and we are called upon to put on the whole armor of God. This is what enables us to fight valiantly for our High Commander, Jesus.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:11-13).
When the servants of Christ take the shield of faith for their defense, and the sword of the Spirit for war, there is danger in the enemy’s camp…The work of conquering evil is to be done through faith. Those who go into the battlefield will find that they must put on the whole armor of God. The shield of faith will be their defense and will enable them to be more than conquerors. Nothing else will avail but this—faith in the Lord of hosts, and obedience to His orders. Vast armies furnished with every other facility will avail nothing in the last great conflict. Without faith, an angel host could not help. Living faith alone will make them invincible and enable them to stand in the evil day, steadfast, unmovable, holding the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end (God’s Amazing Grace, 25-26).

Oh, that we could understand that God has not changed. We are the ones who have changed. He is still our High Priest, but we forgotten how to approach Him. We have forgotten how to pray the prayer of faith, because the world is choked with the brambles of doubt.

No wonder the Lord has to permit trial and affliction, so that our need will expel our doubt. Then we may put forth fervent and effective prayers to God, and take hold of His divine power, that we may be ready to stand in the last great conflict. The curse of doubt must be transformed into a living faith, for without faith it is impossible to please Him.

The signs of the end are fast fulfilling. The time of trouble is very near us now. We are to be brought into strait places in a way in which we have not been brought heretofore. The time of trouble is near, and we are to awake to a realization of this. We are to be sure that our feet are in the narrow path. We need an experience that we have not yet had, that we may have the assurance that the God of all grace is a very present help in time of need (Letter 54, 1906, E. White).

We have forgotten how to pray the prayer of faith.