Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer reflects a biblical understanding of the battle we are in and how God wants us to stand in it. Scripture is clear that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. That is why we are told to put on the whole armor of God, not a part of it, so that we can stand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.
It is right that you begin by putting it on yourself first. Jesus Himself met the enemy in the wilderness and overcame him there, as recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke, before He went on to overcome the world and the flesh and the devil for the sake of others. In the same way we are to first submit ourselves to the Word and be clothed in what God has provided, and then to intercede for others. We receive the armor the same way we receive everything else from God, by faith, just as we received salvation by grace through faith and just as we receive answers to prayer when we believe.
Remember the order God gives us in Ephesians. For three chapters He tells us what He has already done for us, that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, redeemed, forgiven, adopted into His family as heirs and joint heirs with Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance. Only after establishing what He has done does He tell us how we are to walk. We cannot be what we ought to be until we first rest in what He has already accomplished. Grace comes first, and then peace. When we truly see His grace toward us, the natural response is lowliness and meekness, not pride, and a desire to walk worthy of the calling we have received.
Each part of that armor is spiritual and its power is from God, not from ourselves. Truth girds us, His righteousness guards our hearts, the good news that we can have peace with God through Jesus Christ steadies our feet to go and to stand, faith in Christ is the shield that quenches every fiery dart of the wicked one, salvation is our helmet, and the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Our weapons are not of the flesh, but they are mighty through God.
Your burden to pray it over your family, over those who lead and teach and evangelize, over every believer, over churches and those who labor in the gospel, and over those in government is in keeping with Scripture. We are told to make supplication for all people, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, and that all may come to the knowledge of the truth. And we are commanded to love and pray even for our enemies, to bless those who curse us and do good to those who despitefully use us. This is not natural, but it is the way of Christ.
It is also right to pray for boldness. The early church prayed again and again not for ease but for utterance to speak the mystery of the gospel with courage. God has a purpose and a calling for each of His children, and it is important to seek Him to know what you are by the will of God and then to press toward that purpose, redeeming the time and being about your Father's business. Whatever you do in word or deed, do it heartily as unto the Lord and for His glory.
May the Lord strengthen you with might by His Spirit in the inner man, fill you with His fullness, and help you to stand clothed in His armor day by day. May He give you and all those you lift up perseverance in prayer, watchfulness in the Spirit, and boldness to make known the hope we have in Jesus, who alone is the way of salvation. We join you in asking these things in Jesus' name, trusting that He who has begun a good work will be faithful to complete it.
It is right that you begin by putting it on yourself first. Jesus Himself met the enemy in the wilderness and overcame him there, as recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke, before He went on to overcome the world and the flesh and the devil for the sake of others. In the same way we are to first submit ourselves to the Word and be clothed in what God has provided, and then to intercede for others. We receive the armor the same way we receive everything else from God, by faith, just as we received salvation by grace through faith and just as we receive answers to prayer when we believe.
Remember the order God gives us in Ephesians. For three chapters He tells us what He has already done for us, that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, redeemed, forgiven, adopted into His family as heirs and joint heirs with Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance. Only after establishing what He has done does He tell us how we are to walk. We cannot be what we ought to be until we first rest in what He has already accomplished. Grace comes first, and then peace. When we truly see His grace toward us, the natural response is lowliness and meekness, not pride, and a desire to walk worthy of the calling we have received.
Each part of that armor is spiritual and its power is from God, not from ourselves. Truth girds us, His righteousness guards our hearts, the good news that we can have peace with God through Jesus Christ steadies our feet to go and to stand, faith in Christ is the shield that quenches every fiery dart of the wicked one, salvation is our helmet, and the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Our weapons are not of the flesh, but they are mighty through God.
Your burden to pray it over your family, over those who lead and teach and evangelize, over every believer, over churches and those who labor in the gospel, and over those in government is in keeping with Scripture. We are told to make supplication for all people, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, and that all may come to the knowledge of the truth. And we are commanded to love and pray even for our enemies, to bless those who curse us and do good to those who despitefully use us. This is not natural, but it is the way of Christ.
It is also right to pray for boldness. The early church prayed again and again not for ease but for utterance to speak the mystery of the gospel with courage. God has a purpose and a calling for each of His children, and it is important to seek Him to know what you are by the will of God and then to press toward that purpose, redeeming the time and being about your Father's business. Whatever you do in word or deed, do it heartily as unto the Lord and for His glory.
May the Lord strengthen you with might by His Spirit in the inner man, fill you with His fullness, and help you to stand clothed in His armor day by day. May He give you and all those you lift up perseverance in prayer, watchfulness in the Spirit, and boldness to make known the hope we have in Jesus, who alone is the way of salvation. We join you in asking these things in Jesus' name, trusting that He who has begun a good work will be faithful to complete it.
