A prayer for protection and article on the armor of God. The armor of God provides protection from the strategies and deceitful methods of Satan.
We are exhorted twice in the book of Ephesians in the Bible to avail ourselves of the armor of God. “Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks.
For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground” (Ephesians 6:11-14 GNB).
Resist means to stand against, as in `antihistamine’. Some drugs are used to minimize the effect of histamine in certain allergic conditions e.g. hay fever, bee stings and drug allergies. We `put off’ and resist destructive forces cast against us, by equipping ourselves with God’s armor.
So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace.
At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.
The armor Paul is talking about here in Ephesians 6:14-18 is, in reality, the Lord Jesus Christ and, by placing the armor on, we are expressing our dependence upon Him for His care and protection.
The Armor of God – What is it?
The Belt of Truth
The first piece of armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6:14 is, “the belt of truth” In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Truth should cleave to us as a belt cleaves to our body.
What is truth?
Jesus, praying to the Father, gives a clear and straightforward definition of truth: God’s Word: His promises, His commands, His word—they are all truth, plain and simple.
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17)
What does truth have to do with a belt?
1 Peter 1:13 says: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”
Peter used an interesting analogy: “Gird up the loins of your mind.” The New International Version translates it as “prepare your minds for action.” Our battle is in the mind to either believe the enemy’s lies or the truth of God’s Word.
How to apply the Belt of Truth
Put off the works of darkness: the lies of the enemy. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ – the armor of God. Declare: JESUS YOU ARE MY TRUTH.
Put off the lie: God won’t be there to provide and protect me. Put on the truth: “My God will supply all of my needs.” (Philippians 4:19) And “My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; he defends me and keeps me safe.” (Psalm 18:2)
Put off the lie: God doesn’t love me. Put on the truth: God says: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3
The Breastplate of Righteousness
The second piece of armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6:14 is, “the breastplate of righteousness.”
Why is righteousness associated with protective armor like a breastplate?
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 11:4) Without righteousness, we leave ourselves open to almost certain death. With righteousness—just as with a breastplate—the otherwise fatal attacks of our enemy are thwarted.
Romans 5:17 says, “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”
How to apply the breastplate of righteousness
Put off the works of darkness – the lies of the enemy. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ – the armor of God . Declare: JESUS YOU ARE MY RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Righteousness is something you receive – it is a gift! The only way for a human being to become the righteousness of God is to receive the “gift” of righteousness that is being freely offered by Creator God, through acceptance of the Person of Jesus Christ.
This is what the Apostle Paul taught, “…much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17)
The Shoes of the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
The third piece of armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6 is the shoes of “the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
Why is the gospel associated with protective armor like shoes?
As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)
Matthew 29:20 says “ Go and make disciples … And be sure of this: I am with you always.”
Go means to move from one place to another. You cannot go without preparation – unless you are ready.
So let me suggest that the emphasis is on the preparation in having the shoes of the Gospel of Peace.
- We are given all authority in preparation for sharing the Gospel of Peace. In Matthew 29:18 we assured that we have been given complete authority to share the good news. “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
- We have been given power for sharing the Gospel of Peace. In Luke 24: 49 the disciples we instructed to remain in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high. And in Acts 1:8, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you”.
According to Acts 5:32, to be filled and clothed with the Holy Spirit requires an obedient heart. “The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to those who obey him.” – The Holy Spirit is given to those who in their going, in their daily activities, share the good news with others.
How to apply the adorning of shoes in preparation
Put off the works of darkness – disobedience and fear – the lies of the enemy that say, “I can’t do that”. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ – the armor of God. Declare: JESUS YOU ARE MY EMPOWERMENT.
The Shield of Faith
The fourth piece of armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6 is “the shield of faith.”
Taking the Shield
Paul tells us that the shield is something we must take up, something we are required to raise.
Why is a shield associated with faith?
The shield defends our whole body. The shield of faith has a very specific function, which the Bible makes abundantly clear: That is to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Not some but all of Satan’s flaming arrows of doubt.
Supernatural faith is a gift from God
In Ephesians 2:8, Paul says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” We have to put faith in God’s grace, but the faith that we use isn’t our own human faith. This verse says that faith is the gift of God.
Jesus instructs us in Mark 11, verse 22, to “Have faith in God.” In the original language, this means having the faith of God. Faith is what brings the things God has provided for us from the spiritual realm into the physical realm (Hebrews 11:1).
How to apply the shield of faith
Put off the works of darkness – doubt and unbelief – the lies of the enemy. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ – the armor of God. Declare: JESUS YOU ARE MY FAITH.
Helmet of Salvation
In Ephesians 6, Paul talks about the “helmet of salvation” as part of the armor of God.
What is salvation?
Salvation means to save, help in distress, rescue, deliver and set free. Also denotes health, well-being, and healing.
What does salvation have to do with a helmet?
“We should wear faith and love to protect us, and the hope of salvation should be our helmet.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8 ESV.) We have an enemy and he is real. He wants to control our thought life.
As Satan wars for control of our thought life, we must be transformed from the inside. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2)
How to apply the helmet of salvation
Put off the works of darkness – unforgiveness and the lies of the enemy. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ – the armor of God. Declare: JESUS YOU ARE MY SALVATION – MY DELIVERER – MY HEALER – MY WHOLENESS.
The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
The sixth piece of armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6 is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Why a sword?
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
The all-powerful sword of the living God – the Word of God – is able to cut through every defence our enemy can raise—down to the very division of bone and marrow.
When God’s Word shows us something wrong in ourselves, we can use this spiritual weapon to “surgically” remove the offending thoughts and actions (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Unlike all other pieces of the armor of God, which are solely defensive, the sword is uniquely suited for both defensive and offensive roles. Notice that Jesus Christ used the Bible to counter Satan’s attacks (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). There is no enemy the Word of God, coupled with His Spirit, cannot defeat.
How to apply the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God
Numbers 23:19 assures us that God will always keeps his promises. Let’s read it, “God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.”
If God says it – that settles it! You say, ‘I’m afraid.’ God says, ‘…I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, and tells you, “Don’t be afraid. I will help you.”
You say, “It’s impossible’. God says, “… What is impossible with men is possible with God.” You say, ‘I can’t go on.’ God says, ‘…”My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.”
Having put the armor on – stand firm
Ephesians 6:13 says, “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. Stand firm then…”
Equipping ourselves with God’s armor is not a mechanical operation; it is, in itself, an expression of our dependence upon God. This prayer will help you depend on Jesus and in so doing protect you from the devil’s attacks. This is how you put on the armor of God.
Prayer for Protection
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks.” Ephesians 6:11
Thank you, Jesus, that your truth frees me from sin and its consequences. Help me to recognize the deceptions and lies of the evil one so I can replace them with your truth.
Thank you, Jesus, that others will see your good and holy nature through all I do and say today. Fill me with your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Thank you, Jesus, for directing my steps as I depend on your power today. Help me to stand firm and share with others how they can know your peace.
Thank you, Jesus, for promising to care for me when I trust you. Replace my fears and doubts with your faith as I ask you to help me with the challenges I face today (be specific).
Thank you, Jesus, that your salvation is blessing me with your goodness in every area of my life – healing, providing, protecting and delivering me from sin.
Thank you, Jesus, for your Word. It is written in the Bible that you triumphed over all the powers of darkness when you died on the cross, and through your blood, I will overcome today.
Ephesians 6:10-18, John 8:32, Galatians 5:22, Acts 1:8, Mark 11:22-23, Acts 4:12, Revelation 12:11, Colossians 2:15
Related link:
Embracing and Sharing God’s Grace: breakfreetoday.org/amazing-grace