Pray on the full armor of God

 

 As followers of Jesus we're in a spiritual battle. Though the ultimate war has been won, Satan will do all he can to leave us discouraged, doubting, and defeated.
    But God has not left us defenseless. He has provided spiritual armor for this spiritual battle - including a key offensive weapon - the Sword of the Spirit - God's Word.
    How can we "put on" this armor God has provided?
    Here's a prayer, based on Paul's exhortation in Ephesians 6:10-18, that can help as we struggle, "not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (v. 12).
   



   Equip me, Lord:

• With the belt of truth (v. 14). May your truth rule in my heart and be in my mind and on my lips today.
• With the breastplate of righteousness (v. 14). Apart from You there is no righteousness, but through Jesus I have been "born again" and made righteous in Your sight. May I live as a righteous person.
• With feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace (v. 15). May I reflect the Gospel in my words and actions, that through me, with my every encounter, others may be drawn one step closer to You.
• With the shield of faith (v. 16). May I take You at Your word concerning promises about the present and future - promises of everlasting love, abundant life, and so much more.
• With the helmet of salvation (v. 17). Remind me that nothing can separate me from Your love and that I've been saved by grace. In Your grace, help me to say "no" to all ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life (Titus 2:12, 13).
• And with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (v. 17).May Your Holy Spirit reign in my life and bring to my mind just the right Bible verses to be in my heart and on my lips. May I be "filled with the Spirit" and ready with Scripture as You were, Jesus, when the devil tempted You.
• Finally, keep me in an attitude of prayer (v. 18). Remind me to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions." Cause me to be alert and always praying for the saints; to be joyful and to give thanks in everything (see 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Adopted from The Pray! Prayer Journal by Dean Ridings. Used by permission of NavPress.

You can check out the rest of The Pray! Prayer Journal at navpress.com

Copy this discussion guide for your own use or share with your small group, or download a free PDF from online at my.navigators.org/d2go

copied from the Disciple! winter 2014, page 12, The Navigators, P.O. Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934