PRAYER OF COVERING Part 7-The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18

We all know about the armor of God. We have read about it in the Book of Ephesians where the Apostle Paul explains to the church at Ephesus what this armor consists of. You have probably even seen small replicas or photos of the armor. I have heard people say we do not need to do warfare prayer. If that were so, then why do we need armor? Why do we need weapons? If the Lord did not intend for us to engage in spiritual warfare, He would not have provided the equipment to protect us and to fight with against our enemy. And He has more than adequately equipped us with all we need.

There is a danger here, however, and we must learn to understand just who our enemy is. Paul wanted the Ephesians to recognize that we do not fight against flesh and blood. We must not look at people as being the enemy though the enemy may be using them for his purposes. It is the spiritual forces and powers in this dark world that we must do battle with. Our weapons are spiritual so we may accomplish this and come out on the victory side. With God on our side, and when we choose His side, we cannot lose the war.

I have also heard it taught by many who would have us believe that we have no armor, no protection, for our backs. But the term “full armor” actually means panoply, or a complete covering. It means we are wrapped up in that armor. Can you even imagine a breastplate that only covers the front of the body? How would it stay on? Tied with a ribbon around the soldier’s neck? No, the breastplate has a front and a back so we are fully protected. Our God does not leave us vulnerable in any area. We only become vulnerable when we neglect to put on that armor, when we lay our weapons down.

Following is the final part of the Prayer of Covering.

May I always conduct my life with integrity, Lord—in full measure, innocent[ly[, blameless[ly], upright[ly] (see Proverbs 10:9).

I now put on the full armor of God—Jesus Christ Himself (see Romans 13:14)—that I may be able to stand strong today against all the schemes and trickery of the devil (see Ephesians 6:10-17). I put on the helmet of salvation—Jesus is my Salvation (see 1 Corinthians 1:30)—to protect my mind in every spiritual battle. I put on the breastplate of righteousness—Jesus is my righteousness (see 1 Corinthians 1:30)—to protect my heart, my spirit and my back from the onslaught and ambushes of the enemy. I wrap around me the belt of truth—Jesus is the Truth (see John 14:6)—to protect the workings of Your Spirit in my inner man so truth abides and prevails within me at all times. I put on my feet the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace—Jesus is the gospel (see 1 Thessalonians 3:2), and He is my peace (see Ephesians 2:14)—that I may be fully provided for and ready to go where You call me to go, refrain from going where You do not want me to go, and that wherever I go I will, as a peacemaker, take with me Your peace and the truth of the gospel. I choose to take up the shield of faith—Jesus is the Author and Finisher of my faith (see Hebrews 12:2)—He is my faith (see Ephesians 3:12 KJV)—and, according to Your Word, not one of the flaming darts of the enemy will be able to penetrate that shield but will all be extinguished. I take hold of the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God—Jesus is the Word (see John 1:1)—which “…is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). By the power of the name of Jesus I will use this sword to cut off from my life those things which are contrary to Your Word and Your purposes for my life. In the authority and truth of the Word of God I will use this sword to expose the lies and deceits of the enemy. By the power of the blood of Jesus I will use this sword to defuse and defeat the work of the devil in my life and in the lives of my family and friends. Motivated by Your love and in the power of the Holy Spirit I will use this sword to bring life and deliverance, hope and freedom to myself and others, and glory and honor to Your name. I take up the weapon of all-prayer in order to intercede in heaven’s courts and war on behalf of myself and others because Jesus, as my example, is at the right hand of God interceding for me (see Romans 8:34). I put on the armor of light—Jesus is the Light of the world (see Romans 13:12; John 9:5). I take up the weapons of righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 6:7). I put on the breastplate of faith and love—Jesus is love—(see 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 John 4:16). With these I go forth in victory into this day in the name of Jesus.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of posts on the Prayer of Covering. I have enjoyed sharing it with you and trust the Lord has blessed you and shown you how you can perhaps add this prayer, or a similar one you choose to pray for yourself, to your prayer life. I would like to be able to pray this prayer on a daily basis, but being an intercessor for my church, there is so much to pray for some days that I only have the time to pray it once in a while. But I do feel the power behind it when I do make the time, and it is never wasted time. I not only pray it for myself, but often for others, either specific people or for the whole church.

If you have not read the previous six posts in this series, please go here for the beginning. Click here for Part 2. Part 3 is here. You will find Part 4 here. Click here for Part 5 and Part 6.

I cannot give even an estimate of when my book “It Is Written: My Prayer Journey into the Heart of God”, from which this series is taken, will be published. It is my hope to be able to have it available before the end of 2019 or perhaps sooner. I will let you, my readers, know when it is published.

I thank you so much for taking time to read my posts. It means a lot to me. If they have blessed you, or if you have anything to add to what I have said, please feel free to leave a comment in the box below. Also feel free to share these posts with your friends on social media or through e-mail. I love to read your comments and I will respond to them. If you are not already following me, please take another moment to click on the “Follow” button at the top to receive e-mail notifications of new posts when they are published. If you have a little more time today, please browse through other posts to see what might interest you. Or come back again–as often as you like.

I pray God’s blessings on you throughout this coming week. May His joy be your strength from day to day.