Monday August 15, 2022

Today is Monday, August 15 and we are praying through the sixth chapter of Ephesians.

I praise God from whom all blessings flow! Holy Lord God, I have come here to abide in your enduring presence and rest in your precious love.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I seek you in the sacred stillness of the dawning day. With every breath I am reminded to inhale the goodness of your peace and exhale the concerns that trouble my spirit.

I trust in the strength of the Lord my God and seek him with the words of Psalm 24.

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Psalm 24:7-8

Pause and Pray

This week we complete our study of the book of Ephesians with the climax of chapter six. In this final passage, Paul describes the nature of the Christian struggle against evil in the world and identifies the armor that God offers. Believers are engaged in a battle even though God in Christ has already won the war. Hostile agents are at work against God’s will and are in opposition to the followers of Jesus. This last section of Ephesians highlights the tension between a victory already won against evil (Jesus defeated evil on the cross through his suffering, death and resurrection) and a continuing influence of menacing powers. Believers will ultimately triumph, yet the forces of evil negatively impact the faithful, trouble the church and interfere with the transmission of the gospel.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12

Paul signals he is wrapping up his epistle by offering me this final teaching. He encourages me to be strong in the Lord and in God’s mighty power. I am to stand strong in God’s power, not my own power. I will never be strong enough to stand alone. God makes me strong and his strengthening of me is continual. The first defensive strategy in any battle is armor or protection. I am to don all the armor God provides me – this is my defense posture. I need to wear the complete suit of armor, not merely a partial armor or one that leaves gaps in spiritual protection. I am to be alert, ready and prepared to take my stand against a spiritual enemy.

Ask: In my current circumstances, am I relying on God’s power or my own power? Am I acting out of God’s strength or my own strength?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, you are holy and mighty. Strengthen me, prepare me and make me ready to stand against the schemes of evil. Remind me who is at the root of life’s temptations, struggles and setbacks and teach me how to wear all the spiritual armor you provide so I can stand firm as a follower of Christ. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider how God wants to speak to me this morning through these sacred verses from the book of Ephesians. I pay attention to certain words and ruminate on their meaning for my life. I ponder my current circumstances – where are my challenges, what are my worries, and who causes me concern? How does this passage of scripture help me reframe the situation and see it in a new perspective? How might God want me to prepare and be ready for the future? Where are there “chinks” in my armor or “gaps” in my protection from evil? Where am I weakest?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, you are my savior, redeemer and champion. I invite you to strengthen me with your mighty power in the innermost depths of my soul. You have already won the victory over evil and you will enable me to stand firm amid every challenge I face. Amen.

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 1 John 5:18-19

I go from this place in the mighty power and strength of God Almighty, ready to share the love of Jesus with a broken world.

Amen