Prayer to Put on the Armor of God

By Gail Rodgers on February 24th, 2009 at 2:00 am in Devotional, Devotional For Women

Are daily battles of life overwhelming you? Too much stress? Take this Study to help you.

Paul uses the symbolism of the Christian as a soldier who engages daily in the battle with evil. The armor of the soldier is given as the protection in battle.

As Christians, we need to remember that we can have this protection daily as we face the various challenges of our lives. Each morning you can pray through the symbolic pieces of armor and invite the specific help of the Holy Spirit, who the Lord said He would send to be your help and your comforter and your strength.

Prayer to action this in my life from Ephesians 6:10-18:

“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 with the Belt of Truth buckled around your waist,

(Lord, please give me understanding of what is true and right in every situation I walk into today

“With the Breastplate of Righteousness in place,

(Lord, I thank you that I am loved by You and that You have washed my sin away and covered my doubt)

“and with Your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace.

(Lord, remind me today to be open to what You want me to do, use my hands and feet and show me people You would have me do something for today)

“In addition to all this, take up the Shield of Faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

(Lord, I thank you that by faith in Your power I can be protected from temptation and wrong desires today. Guide me and protect me. Keep me from temptation and increase my faith in You)

“Take up the Helmet of Salvation

(Lord, I celebrate the fact that I am Your child!)

“and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

(Lord, give me the desire to read your Word. Help me not to just read it but to obey it as well.)

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

(Lord, guide my day and gently remind me to bring my problems of the day to You as they arise)

“With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

(Lord, keep me alert and focused on You today for You are my hope!). Amen

Questions: Tell us about a time when you neglected to put on the armor of God? How can one know what it is that God desires us to do? What can you do to help you in your daily battle with evil?

About the Author Gail Rodgers

Loving & Letting Go

Loving and Letting Go

By Charlene Friesen on February 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 am in Devotional, Devotional For Women

Are you hurting from the pain of losing a child to the distractions offered by the world? We care and want to pray for you.

“His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man. The Lord delights in those who fear him; who put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:10-1).

I am a mother, a wife and a daughter. At times I am a counselor, a listening ear, or a cheerleader. Most importantly, however, I am a prayer warrior who chooses to battle on her knees.

Praying on bended knee is an act of stillness, of submission and trust, for no amount of running interference, offering advice or encouragement will orchestrate the ideal situation.

My son, I was there when you wrestled with polynomials. Shaking your fists in the air, vowing never to take a math related job, I suppressed a smile. Good luck, for math is all encompassing.

My son, I wasn’t there the moment you cracked the code of math. But I was there for future “aha” moments that boosted your confidence.

Mom, I was there when you struggled with the emotional effects of cancer, succumbing to depression and quarreling with the one who stood by your side for forty-two years.

Mom, I wasn’t there when you and dad finally agreed to work as a team, but I was there to witness the respect, trust and love that was forty-two years in the making.

My cherished husband, I was there when your faith seemed to lose its edge. The zealousness diminished somewhat and the hunger seemed to abate. My heart ached as you wandered this journey alone, restless. I could not fill that void.

My cherished husband, I wasn’t there the day you met the “iron man.” This new friend, a man with solid Christian values, was divinely appointed to cross your path. He is not only an encourager, but has also been encouraged by you. Your friendship is the essence of “iron sharpens iron.”

My youngest son, I was there when you confided of fair weather friends and endured the taunting of those so-called friends because they didn’t have the courage to stand on their own two feet.

My youngest son, I wasn’t there the day you found a reliable, encouraging group of friends at school. But I was there to hear the tales of school fun and camaraderie.

I have trusted God for my salvation; surely I can also trust Him with my prayers for my family in their individual struggles of faith and relationships. I love them enough to let go and give them to God.

I will not always be there. But God will be.

Heavenly Father, You have called us to encourage one another and offer Godly advice. Yet may we also remember that You alone are the source and the solution. May we love enough to let go, thereby inviting You wholeheartedly to have Your Sovereign way.

Question: What or whom do you need to let go and give to God?

About the Author Charlene Friesen