Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Ephesians 6:11-17
My words…
Praise
Here I am again, Lord, praying over Ephesians 6! I remain heartened by the image of Your armor, protecting me against the Devi’s tactics. You do not call me to strangle with the belt, beat with the shield, or strike with the sword. In fact, what you call me to do is not offensive but defensive. You equip me to stand.
Prayer for me
All of heaven knows I’m not much of a fighter. I have never physically assaulted anyone. (Childhood interactions with younger sisters don’t count…right?) My primary reason for being such a pacifist is the certainty of my own injury as a result of the altercation. I’m not a big fan of pain. When I learn about Your invitation to put on an invisible armor to defend against an invisible enemy, I still recoil because I have an inkling of this enemy’s ultimate goal: my spiritual destruction. Pain on many levels. So, I’m thrilled to have Your armor of protection. But there are times when I feel like David wearing Saul’s armor. The armor is perfect. The wearer is unfit, too weak. Forgive me when I use my sandaled feet to bolt from the battle. I haven’t learned the full effectiveness of my sword. My belt slips. I pray earnestly for Your Spirit to open my eyes to the battle around me. Now is not the time to dawdle in the mess tent. I must stand! In the fray! With my feet planted like a tree by the stream. Teach me how to uphold my weapons like the archangel Michael. Strengthen me against the rancid smell of battle, the taunts by the Enemy’s minions, and my own weariness. And when I am called to not only stand but to take a stand, keep my feet from slipping.
Prayer for others
You see my friend, Lord, armored yet barely standing. She has languished by her husband’s hospital bed for four months, witnessing his decline day by day. She is surrounded by helplessness and hopelessness. She prays to You. You hear her. I am attaching my prayer to hers. I have no idea what Your will is in her situation. Has her faith grown stronger? Probably. Has her heart been broken? Definitely. I pray You will prop up her armor. Tighten that belt. Sharpen that sword. She is in the thick of the fray, and she needs to know she does not stand there alone. Hold on to her by Your mighty right arm. Thank You.
More praise
I praise You that when I stand, I stand with the Army of God, heavenly hosts on my right and left. My uniform is stained with Jesus’ blood, not my own. I bear the insignia of a Child of the King. My battle cry is Hallelujah! There is no greater honor than to stand in Your armor.
