The Armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18 provides defensive and offensive weapons Christians are given to fight and win the spiritual battle for their souls. With a devil intent on stealing, killing and destroying everything Godly and good, this Armor is absolutely necessary to counteract every attack.
In verse 11, the Apostle Paul writes,
"Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Dictionary.com defines the word 'wiles' as "artful or beguiling behavior; a trick, artifice or stratagem meant to fool, trap or entice." With this in mind, Christians should not underestimate the lengths that the devil will go to divide and conquer, and to prevent the fulfillment of one's destiny in Christ.
To protect and to have power, Christians must put on the Armor of God every day, preferably in the morning. While reading Ephesians 6:10-18 can help Christians put on their armor, some people have found it useful to recite a prayer aloud in order to prepare for the day's battle, whatever it may be. The following is one version of such a prayer.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with the truth
Thank you Lord for Your truth as described in your Bible. You are truth and You alone set me free from sin and lies. Today, I choose to believe Your truth and about who You are and who I am as Your child. Holy Spirit, lead and guide my thoughts in Your path of truth. Help me to make wise decisions today based on Your Word. Help me to speak the truth in love to myself and others. Let Your truth prevail in all things.
Having put on the breastplate of righteousness
Thank you Lord for Your breastplate of righteousness. I put it on and it will protect me throughout the day. I remove any robes of self-righteousness or works of the law that would glory myself and distract me from the finished work of Jesus at the cross. I now put on Your righteousness. With Your breastplate, I will protect my heart, for out of it flows the issues of life. Help me to keep my heart clean and pure before you and to use the breastplate of righteousness to resist sin and self-indulgence.
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace
Thank You Father for Your good news of peace to me, and to the world. I put on Your gospel of peace that I might share it with everyone I come in contact with. May my steps be secure and protected today. Prepare me to speak with wisdom about Your love and the blessings you have in store for the upright. Help me to live from peace and walk as a peacemaker.
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one
Father, I thank You that You are my shield and the glory and lifter of my head. I want to please You, Lord, today with my faith in You. I put my hope in You as my Savior, though I do not always see what You have in store and don't always understand what you are doing. My trust in You puts you between the enemy and me. I am forever secure in You and inaccessible to my enemy. Today, I will sow seeds of faith that will result in miracles and blessings.
And take the helmet of salvation
Father, thank You for saving me from sin and death. I receive your gift of salvation, deliverance and healing. I have the mind of Christ and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Help me to think pure thoughts and to remember to praise You and glorify You for making me a new creation. Make my mind new and help me not to be ignorant of the plans of the enemy. With the helmet of salvation, I will retain the mind of Christ and reject the plans of the enemy.
And the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God
Thank You father for the weapon of Your Word and Your Spirit. When the enemy comes to steal, kill or destroy me or those I love, quicken Scripture to me so that I can stand and fight the spiritual battle. May my sword (God's Word) be fully exercised to defeat the enemy today.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
[h=3]Written by:
Jamee Rae[/h]