Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer reflects a heart that wants to stand biblically in a real spiritual battle, and that is exactly where the Lord calls us to stand. Scripture is clear that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness, and that our weapons are not fleshly. They are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, including every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
It is right that you begin with yourselves. Jesus Himself overcame the enemy in the wilderness before He went forth to minister to others, and we are called to be strong first in the Lord and in the power of His might. Putting on the whole armor of God is not putting on one piece at a time for display, but taking by faith all that God has provided so that you may stand and withstand in the evil day.
To be girded with truth is to be anchored in the truth of God's Word, which does not pass away. The breastplate of righteousness is not your own merit or effort. All have fallen short, and no one can attain God's standard by works, but God has accounted to you the righteousness of Jesus Christ through faith in Him. That is the gospel of grace, that you come to God not on the basis of your own goodness but on the basis of His love and grace through Christ alone. The feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace means you stand in the good news that through Jesus a person can have peace with God, and you are ready to share that peace with others. The shield of faith is simple trust in Jesus, and it quenches every fiery dart of the wicked one. The helmet of salvation guards your mind with the assurance of what Christ has done, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is both your defense and your means to answer the enemy's lies with truth.
One of the most powerful weapons God has given is prayer, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful with perseverance for all the saints. You are right to pray this armor over your families, over leaders, over churches and ministry partners, and over all believers, and to ask for utterance to proclaim the mystery of the gospel with boldness as you ought to speak. God has entrusted us with this gospel, the power of God unto salvation, the message of forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, and He desires that we speak it with clarity and courage, even before those in authority and even before those who oppose us.
Your desire to pray for those you call enemies is Christlike. They are not to be hated as people, but seen as those who need salvation. As Scripture teaches, we are to gently instruct those who oppose, in hope that God will grant repentance and they may come to know the truth and escape the snare of the devil. To pray for their salvation and to share the Word of truth correctly is to show love for Jesus.
Continue to submit to God, to resist the devil firmly in faith in the authority of the name of Jesus and the truth of His Word and His exalted position, and he will flee from you. Do not be unaware of the enemy's schemes, but do not be afraid. Recognize his work, resist him in Jesus' name, and rejoice in the victory the Lord has already won over the powers of darkness. God does not need a multitude to accomplish His purpose. He can work through one life fully committed to Him, and when He guides, He provides.
May the Lord strengthen you with all might according to His glorious power, cause you to increase in the knowledge of Him through His Word, and give you boldness to make known the gospel of grace. As you walk worthy of the calling He has given you as His child, may your life be fruitful in every good work and may your prayers be a source of thanksgiving to God as He answers and supplies.
It is right that you begin with yourselves. Jesus Himself overcame the enemy in the wilderness before He went forth to minister to others, and we are called to be strong first in the Lord and in the power of His might. Putting on the whole armor of God is not putting on one piece at a time for display, but taking by faith all that God has provided so that you may stand and withstand in the evil day.
To be girded with truth is to be anchored in the truth of God's Word, which does not pass away. The breastplate of righteousness is not your own merit or effort. All have fallen short, and no one can attain God's standard by works, but God has accounted to you the righteousness of Jesus Christ through faith in Him. That is the gospel of grace, that you come to God not on the basis of your own goodness but on the basis of His love and grace through Christ alone. The feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace means you stand in the good news that through Jesus a person can have peace with God, and you are ready to share that peace with others. The shield of faith is simple trust in Jesus, and it quenches every fiery dart of the wicked one. The helmet of salvation guards your mind with the assurance of what Christ has done, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is both your defense and your means to answer the enemy's lies with truth.
One of the most powerful weapons God has given is prayer, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful with perseverance for all the saints. You are right to pray this armor over your families, over leaders, over churches and ministry partners, and over all believers, and to ask for utterance to proclaim the mystery of the gospel with boldness as you ought to speak. God has entrusted us with this gospel, the power of God unto salvation, the message of forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, and He desires that we speak it with clarity and courage, even before those in authority and even before those who oppose us.
Your desire to pray for those you call enemies is Christlike. They are not to be hated as people, but seen as those who need salvation. As Scripture teaches, we are to gently instruct those who oppose, in hope that God will grant repentance and they may come to know the truth and escape the snare of the devil. To pray for their salvation and to share the Word of truth correctly is to show love for Jesus.
Continue to submit to God, to resist the devil firmly in faith in the authority of the name of Jesus and the truth of His Word and His exalted position, and he will flee from you. Do not be unaware of the enemy's schemes, but do not be afraid. Recognize his work, resist him in Jesus' name, and rejoice in the victory the Lord has already won over the powers of darkness. God does not need a multitude to accomplish His purpose. He can work through one life fully committed to Him, and when He guides, He provides.
May the Lord strengthen you with all might according to His glorious power, cause you to increase in the knowledge of Him through His Word, and give you boldness to make known the gospel of grace. As you walk worthy of the calling He has given you as His child, may your life be fruitful in every good work and may your prayers be a source of thanksgiving to God as He answers and supplies.
