Being Bold In The Battle Series

A family in our church prays for Beth and me on a regular basis and sends encouraging notes to keep preaching the gospel. Someone else was moved to pray Hebrews 4 over us earlier this week. On Thursday this week, I sent a text to the pastoral team requesting prayer for God to give me words to boldly proclaim the gospel to a young man. Here’s what I texted: “I’m meeting with a guy at 4 today. He just told me he’s lost and if he were to die, he’s going to Hell. Pray Ephesians 6:19 for me.” Here’s what I sent to the staff about an hour later: “The Holy Spirit adopted this young man through the new birth today!”

We began with hearing from some of our children about the importance of putting on the armor of God every day. That’s a good challenge for each of us. Since most of us aren’t going to stand up and do hand motions, I wanted to pass along something called the Warrior’s Prayer by Dr. David Jeremiah that Edgewood member Linnet Craig prays every day. There are copies available at the Welcome Center and at the south entrance.

The Warrior’s Prayer – Putting On The Armor of God

(adapted from Dr. David Jeremiah)

Heavenly Father,

Your warrior prepares for battle.

Today I claim victory over Satan by

putting on the whole Armor of God!

I put on the Girdle of Truth!

May I forever stand firm in the Truth of

Your Word so I will not be victim to Satan’s lies.

I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!

May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain

pure and holy, protected under the blood

of Jesus Christ.

I put on the Shoes of Peace!

May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel

so Your peace will shine through me and be a

light to all I encounter.

I take up the Shield of Faith!

May I be ready for Satan’s fiery darts of

doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not

be vulnerable to spiritual threats or defeat.

I put on the Helmet of Salvation!

May I keep my mind focused on You so

Satan will not have a stronghold

on my thoughts and emotions.

I take up the Sword of the Spirit!

May the two-edged sword of Your Word

be ready in my hands so I can expose

the tempting yet false words of Satan.

By faith, your warrior has put on the

whole Armor of God!

I am prepared to live this day,

with and through Jesus Christ, our Lord,

and with complete spiritual victory! Amen.

Before moving on from the armor of God, let’s consider three other connections.

• Edgewood member Bryan LaBerge pointed out that Paul outlines six items in Ephesians 6 and Exodus 28:4 outlines six clothing items of the High Priest: “These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash.”

• We’re called to put on the armor God Himself has already worn. The Lord of the Angel Armies is depicted as a warrior fighting to vindicate His people in Isaiah 59:17: “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, a helmet of salvation on His head…” Isaiah 52:7 describes God as the giver of the good news: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”