Prayer of Protection—Putting on the Armor of God

Prayer of Protection—Putting on the Armor of God  

Do you feel as though life consists of one battle after another?

It often seems like we no sooner take a breath after finishing one battle that we’re hit with another, perhaps even worse than the previous.

As soon as you put out $2000 to fix the car, the refrigerator breaks down. <> Right when you and your spouse get over an argument the kids get into a major fight. <> You finally win a battle with cancer just to find out you’re diabetic.  <> The very next week you get your daughter over the long fought struggle to graduate high school, and she tells you she’s pregnant.

Life can clobber us with one challenge after another until we feel overwhelmed and battered much of the time. The above trials are but a sampler of the kinds of battles we encounter. Moreover, your personal trials may involve much worse problems than those mentioned here.

BUT, no matter what we’re going through, we’re not without hope and we’re not without help when we are in Christ. Our Heavenly Father has provided for us battle gear that’s better than anything issued by the Pentagon.

Earthly battles affect us in the spiritual realm—or should I say, “The spiritual realm affects our earthly battles.”? 

The Apostle Paul articulated this well in his letter to the Ephesians: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Eph. 6:10-13 NIV).    

As followers of Jesus, we are warriors in His army. As such, it’s imperative that we recognize that and dress appropriately. A warrior does not go into battle without his gear. 

My friend, James Rathman, recently posted this declaration of God’s warrior, donning the armor God supplies for our preparation to meet the battles hurled at us:

“Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle.

Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole Armor of God.

I put on the Girdle of Truth! May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the Blood of Jesus Christ.

I put on the Shoes of Peace. May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your Peace will shine through me to be a light to all I encounter.

I take the Shield of Faith! May I be ready for Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation! May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

 

By faith your warrior has put on the Whole Armor of God!

I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory! Amen.”*

Let us not neglect being prepared for battle. Satan is relentless and wants to take us down but we have, at our disposal, the means by which to stand and to keep standing. 

I want to let you in on a secret I’ve learned through years of battle. 

Sometimes we take on too much responsibility. Much of our fretting and gut-wrenching slugging it out is just not necessary. As the “Silver Fox” once sang, we need to “know when to fold ‘em.”  

(Kenny Rogers – The Gambler) 

Photo by Shlomit Wolf, from Upsplash

I have found that the best way to have that knowing is to systematically read and study God’s Word. 

God often says to me,

“This battle is not yours. It’s Mine.” –Not in an audible voice, but in my spirit—His Holy Spirit to my spirit. This too is part of our preparation for battles of life.

                                                                          

Like the Boy Scouts, lets “Be prepared.”

Your comments are welcome.

*Used with permission from James Rathman, www.onelostsheep.com

©Connie Wohlford 2016