And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:17,18
Finishing out the Armor Of God series, we are ending with 2 main elements we readily attribute to the armor: the helmet and the sword. We also add prayer as a final component, which covers the armor. The helmet of salvation is a defensive piece; by it we are defended against lies. When we put it on, we affirm that our salvation is secure and our minds and washed and renewed by God's word. The sword of the Spirit is God's word. We must be trained and skilled to use His word to defend and advance against the enemy. Finally, prayer covers the armor and is our life-line to our Lord. It is essential to have because without it, we are cut off from hearing the battle strategy.
The following prayer is shared in this episode:
Dear Lord,
I thank You for the full armor of God, these pieces that are available to me as I go into the battle each day.
I know I am in a battle and that the fight is a spiritual one.
It is not physical and the means you have given me to fight are not physical.
In order to stand today, I put on the armor of God.
I put on the belt of truth. The truth of your Word is what everything else hinges upon. May my belt be fastened and secure in the knowledge of Your truth.
I put on the breastplate of righteous. In you, I have the righteousness of Christ. May my heart be guarded and protected from evil.
On my feet, I wear shoes fitted with the gospel of peace. I carry Your Good News with me as I go forth into battle. I am always ready to share my faith and the hope I have in You.
I take up the shield of faith. May the arrows flung at me by the enemy be extinguished and have no ability to deter me from my belief and hope in You. May my faith be unwavering despite the unknowns of this life.
On my head, I adorn the helmet of salvation. In You Jesus, I am saved. I know You have redeemed my life. May my thoughts be ever fixed on You and may every thought be taken captive. Allow Your Word to renew my mind each day.
I take up the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. In order to use this weapon, I must be in Your word daily. I must allow Your truth to get in me. May I know Your word to refute lies just as You Jesus, used the word to refute Satan when You were tempted. Your word is powerful.
Finally, I cover all of these pieces of armor in prayer. As oil would flow down as an anointing in days of old, may prayer be an anointing that comes over this suit of armor; allowing it to move (defensively and offensively). Prayer is my life-line to You. May I never abandon it.
I thank You for the understanding of Your word in Ephesians 6 and the ability to apply it. May I put on the full armor of God each day so I can do just as Paul says “To be strong in the Lord” and “Stand firm.”
Amen.
