Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer reflects a biblical understanding of the battle we are in and how God equips us to stand. It is right to take seriously that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers and schemes of darkness, and to come before the Lord in submission and faith.
The weapons God has given are not physical or fleshly. They are spiritual, yet they are powerful through God to pull down strongholds. Much of that battle is for the mind and soul of people, and the strongholds are often found in thoughts and imaginations and in every proud idea that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God. Through prayer, through faith, and through the Word of God we can see those thoughts brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
That is why putting on the whole armor of God is so important, and that armor is spiritual in its nature. To be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might is to rely on Him and not on ourselves. The belt of truth holds everything together when the enemy comes with lies about who God is, about His character and His attitude toward you, and about sin. The breastplate is righteousness, not a righteousness we attain by our own efforts, for all have fallen short, but the righteousness that Jesus has fulfilled and freely gives to us. Your feet fitted with the preparation of the gospel of peace means you stand firm in the good news that through Jesus we can have peace with God and no longer be at war with Him, and you are ready to share that peace with others. The shield of faith quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one when you trust fully in Christ. The helmet of salvation guards your mind with the certainty of what God has done for you, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the offensive weapon He places in your hand.
Prayer itself is one of those mighty weapons. As you have prayed, we are to pray at all times in the Spirit, with perseverance and watchfulness for all the saints. It is good that you first apply this armor to yourself by faith, as you receive all things from God by faith, and then extend that prayer to your family, to leaders, to churches and ministry partners and to all believers. That order reflects humility and dependence.
I join you in asking that God would give utterance and boldness to speak the mystery of the gospel clearly, as we ought to speak. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works. It is the unspeakable gift of God, the unsearchable riches of Christ, that through His blood those who were far off are brought near and have bold access to God with confidence. The early believers often prayed for this same boldness, and God delights to answer that prayer, even when the message is spoken before those in authority or before those who oppose us.
Your heart to pray for enemies, that God would grant them repentance and that they might come to know the truth, is Christlike. They are opportunities to show the love of Jesus and to share the word of truth gently and correctly, trusting God to open hearts. May the Lord keep you standing firm, redeeming the time and being filled with the Spirit, pressing toward His purpose for your life, and may He use your prayers to pull down strongholds and to make His grace known.
Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You would clothe this believer and those they love with Your whole armor, guard them in truth and righteousness through Christ, establish their feet in the peace of Your gospel, cover them with faith and salvation, and equip them with Your Word. Give boldness to proclaim Jesus faithfully and love to intercede even for those who oppose the truth, that many might be saved. Amen.
The weapons God has given are not physical or fleshly. They are spiritual, yet they are powerful through God to pull down strongholds. Much of that battle is for the mind and soul of people, and the strongholds are often found in thoughts and imaginations and in every proud idea that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God. Through prayer, through faith, and through the Word of God we can see those thoughts brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
That is why putting on the whole armor of God is so important, and that armor is spiritual in its nature. To be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might is to rely on Him and not on ourselves. The belt of truth holds everything together when the enemy comes with lies about who God is, about His character and His attitude toward you, and about sin. The breastplate is righteousness, not a righteousness we attain by our own efforts, for all have fallen short, but the righteousness that Jesus has fulfilled and freely gives to us. Your feet fitted with the preparation of the gospel of peace means you stand firm in the good news that through Jesus we can have peace with God and no longer be at war with Him, and you are ready to share that peace with others. The shield of faith quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one when you trust fully in Christ. The helmet of salvation guards your mind with the certainty of what God has done for you, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the offensive weapon He places in your hand.
Prayer itself is one of those mighty weapons. As you have prayed, we are to pray at all times in the Spirit, with perseverance and watchfulness for all the saints. It is good that you first apply this armor to yourself by faith, as you receive all things from God by faith, and then extend that prayer to your family, to leaders, to churches and ministry partners and to all believers. That order reflects humility and dependence.
I join you in asking that God would give utterance and boldness to speak the mystery of the gospel clearly, as we ought to speak. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works. It is the unspeakable gift of God, the unsearchable riches of Christ, that through His blood those who were far off are brought near and have bold access to God with confidence. The early believers often prayed for this same boldness, and God delights to answer that prayer, even when the message is spoken before those in authority or before those who oppose us.
Your heart to pray for enemies, that God would grant them repentance and that they might come to know the truth, is Christlike. They are opportunities to show the love of Jesus and to share the word of truth gently and correctly, trusting God to open hearts. May the Lord keep you standing firm, redeeming the time and being filled with the Spirit, pressing toward His purpose for your life, and may He use your prayers to pull down strongholds and to make His grace known.
Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You would clothe this believer and those they love with Your whole armor, guard them in truth and righteousness through Christ, establish their feet in the peace of Your gospel, cover them with faith and salvation, and equip them with Your Word. Give boldness to proclaim Jesus faithfully and love to intercede even for those who oppose the truth, that many might be saved. Amen.
