Ephesians 6:13-18
For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to take a stand on the evil day and, after you have done everything, to stand. Stand, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness fastened in place, and with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace tied to your feet like sandals. At all times, hold up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. Also, take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. At every opportunity, pray in the Spirit with every kind of prayer and petition. Stay alert for the same reason, always persevering in your intercession for all the saints.
Dear Heavenly Father,
It is no secret that we live in an evil age where many reject You. The world even corrupts Your peace by attributing it to individual inner peace one looks for in oneself rather than the peace we have by being restored to You. So, by faith, You equip us with Your complete armor to fight this evil age; it does not come from inside us but has been formed by Jesus’ innocent life and holy death and put on us by the Holy Spirit; so prepare us to stand ready by wearing Your armor.
Wrap us in Your truth, which is Your desire to have everyone come to know, trust, and be restored to You, but that only comes through faith. Christ’s death on the cross forgives all our sins, and by believing in him, You deliver true peace. Jesus’ righteousness restores us to You by faith, and it serves as a breastplate protecting our hearts as we cling to him.
The gospel of peace is the good news of forgiveness that gives us swiftness and sure-footedness to know Jesus has forgiven all our sins. We have peace, knowing that Jesus has removed every sin and all the guilt and shame that would keep us from you. Jesus won salvation and eternal life for us. In faith, we trust what Jesus has done. He has extinguished the shame and guilt for our iniquities by his blood, and through the water of our baptisms, the Holy Spirit has washed away our every sin.
You protect our minds with the helmet of salvation, knowing we have eternal life. Therefore, give us the sword of your word to perry and attack the world’s evil. May we skillfully use your word to defend and thrust away the Devil, the world, and even our flesh’s attacks.
Lord, thank you for preparing us with all we need to protect and defend ourselves. Give us hearts to pray continually in the Spirit for ourselves and all the saints, so many more will be readied for combat. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
We are in a spiritual battle; the armor given to us was hammered out with God’s love, forged by Jesus’ suffering on the cross, and quenched in his blood. It is delivered and put on us by the Holy Spirit through faith for all who believe.