Prepared

PREPARED

a prayer to open

Here I am, Lord. Remind me who I am.

I am loved. I am known. I belong to you.

Put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Like the Ephesians, we are in the midst of a battle, and we can remain strong and stand firm in the face of that battle if we put on every piece of God’s armor. Paul’s word choice could mean either the armor God himself wears (see Isaiah 59:17) or the armor he has and will supply to his beloved children for their protection. This passage speaks about three specific pieces of armor: the belt of truth, the body armor of righteousness, and shoes of peace. A belt keeps body armor in place. The body armor protects the heart and lungs. The shoes prevent being disabled by shards, spikes, or stones in the ground. Without these three pieces of armor, we are not only exposed and vulnerable but also unable to carry the message of the gospel. Imagine if our bodies were protected by the armor of our own righteousness, full of holes and made of aluminum foil! Imagine if the belt that held that armor on was the half-truths and lies upon which so many of us have built our reputations or self-image! Imagine if our shoes were those of angry aggressors wanting to fight and destroy instead of spreading the good news about the life and light of Jesus! Thankfully, God gives us something far better, something that allows us to withstand any attack.

• In what area of your life do you sense the devil scheming or strategizing against you?
• Which of the three pieces of armor that Paul mentioned—truth, God’s righteousness, and peace—do you need to be intentional about putting on right now? (For example, do you sense you are wavering on what’s true? Or are you seeking to rely on your own goodness or righteousness? Or is what you bring forth into the world something less than the gospel of peace?)
• Take a moment to quiet yourself in God’s loving presence. Ask him to open your eyes and heart to the ways he wants you to become aware of the spiritual battles you are facing and rely on his armor to protect and prepare you. What did he bring to mind?

Father, I need your truth, righteousness, and readiness. On my own, I fall down at even the slightest challenge. Please remind me of who I am in Christ and of my righteousness in your sight through him. Fear holds me back and prevents me from being ready to share the gospel, flee from the devil’s schemes, and stand for peace when all else cries for vengeance. I need your truth; I need your righteousness; I need your readiness. May it be so.