Fred's Devo # 63: Putting on the Whole Armor of God

Today, we will be blessed by a Guest "devotionalist" Mary Ann Voelkel. She will lead us in an Armor of God prayer based on Ephesians 6:10-18. Read through Ephesians 6:10-18 below.

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore 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. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Pray through the prayer. Pray it several times slowly and thoughtfully to get the full effect.
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Armor of God Prayer
By Mary Anne Voelkel, former InterVarsity Prayer Leader

Holy, loving, merciful God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…

I greet you this morning as my Heavenly Father, my Lord and Savior, and my great High Priest. I realize that first of all I need to give you myself and this new day. I ask you to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit, and to clothe me with your armor, for my own is of no use against the enemy or to face the challenges I will encounter all day long.

I begin by putting on the Belt of Truth. You are the Truth and your Word is Truth. I ask you to nurture my soul and to teach me the Truth as I study Your Word. By your grace I will believe, speak, and live in accordance with the Truth. I embrace the Truth that you love me unconditionally, that I am in Christ and that he lives in me. I confess the Truth, that without you I can do nothing, but that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13).

I ask your forgiveness for my sin and self-centeredness. Please forgive me for________________ and cleanse me in your precious blood. I ask you to crucify my old nature and be my righteousness. Would you live your holy life in me, as I surrender myself to you? Let your righteousness be like a Breastplate to protect my vital organs, especially my heart, emotions and soul. Be the center of my life and the source of all I am and do. By your grace I will obey you and seek to live in fellowship and dependence on you.

Once again I put on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace. I will prepare myself to share the good news with others by reading your Word, praying for my non-Christian friends, and being ready to given an account for the Hope that is in me. Please bring me into situations and relationships where I can express your love and share the Gospel with others in the Power of the Holy Spirit Give me your heart of compassion for those in need. Enable me to help them with a willing and loving servant heart.

I put on the Helmet of your Salvation. Save me this day from the world, my flesh, and the Devil. I ask you to give me the mind of Christ and to think your thoughts in me.

I also take up the Shield of Faith by which I can extinguish all of the flaming arrows of the Evil One. By faith I ask you to bind and break any curses sent against me or my family and to place them under the feet of Jesus. I ask you to cancel all of the Enemy’s evil assignments, to confuse his strategies, and to extinguish each of the fiery arrows he chooses to send our way. I renounce and rebuke especially the arrows of____________.

I ask you to fill me and strengthen me with your Holy Spirit as I take up His Sword, those particular Words You give me to: guide my own life, use in intercession, share with others, or utter against the Enemy, in whatever ways you so lead me to do. Lead me into each aspect of my devotional time this morning and guide me throughout this day. Please reveal yourself to me so that I may know you better and love you more.

Over all this armor, I ask you to wrap me in your mantle of love. Fill my heart with love for yourself: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Fill my heart, as well with love for my family, friends, and those I minister to.

Finally, I come to you to take your yoke. May I abide in you even as you abide in me. May I worship you, serve you and love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. May I increasingly love my neighbors as myself. I thank you that by Your Holy Presence in my life and your Person clothing me, I am effectively armed for whatever comes my way this day. Hallelujah! Amen!