In a previous post (Our Power and Authority), I wrote about the Power of Prayer. One reader suggested I unpack the armour we need to apply in order to protect ourselves against attack when we pray.
The armour of GOD
As written in Ephesians Chapter 6:10-20, Paul outlines what we are to do to protect ourselves especially when we pray. I quote it here and then will unpack it below….
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
How to prepare and how to fight
FIRST, We stand! Then we equip ourselves with GOD’s armour to withstand any attack from Satan, because it is not people we are fighting against but, in spiritual warfare, it is the Enemy and his minions: powers and even greater principalities that we must face when we pray; there are dark spiritual rulers of physical and spiritual territories on earth and in heavenly places (there is more than one level of heaven… the heavens nearest our atmosphere is near space; then there is the arena where demons inhabit and spiritual battles occur: angels against demons; finally is heaven where the Father and Son inhabit and angels bow down and worship.
No one goes into battle without the correct armour. Daniel faced Goliath, not with the weight and density of man’s armour but with faith and his slingshot and stones.
We do not fight without knowing who are enemy is and taking that into account when we go into battle. Generals have strategies when they go into war, and they take account of the opposing forces. So must we, when we pray into the heavenlies.
“No weapon formed against us will prosper, and every tongue that rises against us will be defeated.”
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
“The battle belongs to the LORD.”
“Perfect love casts out fear.”
The armour GOD provides includes
1. Waist: belt of Truth
2. Chest/Torso: breastplate of Righteousness with GOD (when we are saved by Jesus, we have righteousness with the Father)
3. Feet: shod with Gospel of Peace
4. In front of us: shield of Faith
5. Head: helmet of Salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit: the only offensive weapon is the Word of God is our weapon (know scriptures to quote in prayer)
As we prepare to pray
I literally speak out the armour, and apply scripture as led by GOD as I pray. I protect myself and equip myself, using God’s word as a weapon and as a defence against the enemy.
Too many of us pray in our own strength
Our prayers are weaker than they otherwise could be, when we do not apply scripture and we are vulnerable if we don’t realise how powerful the enemy is against our prayers. If we are not armed protectively, we will be attacked when or after we have prayed.
Let us fight the good fight, let us finish our races, fully prepared in battle to overcome the enemy as we pray.