Tuesday August 16, 2022

Today is Tuesday, August 16 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 stand firm, trusting in the Lord my God and praising him with the ancient words of Psalm 20.

Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:6-8

Pause and Pray

Mainline Christianity has avoided the subject of evil for decades. C.S. Lewis, 20th Century Christian author, in his book The Screwtape Letters said, “The general public prefers either to ignore the forces of evil altogether or to take an unhealthy interest in everything demonic, which can be just as bad in the long run.” N.T. Wright, 20th Century New Testament scholar, said regarding spiritual warfare, “It is as though certain hidden forces would much rather we didn’t talk about it, or that we swept it under the carpet.” Yet the Bible reveals that there is evil in this world and warns that Christians will be in conflict with it. Believers have an enemy and the enemy especially attacks those who are mature and growing in the faith. How am I to deal with the enemy? God’s word to me is “stand.”

Therefore 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, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:13-15

The Greek word for “stand” means to “hold your ground.” It is not a command to go on the offensive – to invade or march. The ground the enemy wants to take over is really God’s ground and therefore it is my ground. I have a foothold on that ground already. Jesus Christ attained victory over the entire realm of darkness through his suffering, death and resurrection. The ground Christ won he has given to his followers – to me. So, I am to stand, and I am to stand firm. In a tug of war, an opposing force tries to pull me off my ground. If they do, they are victorious. It is for me to stand and hold my ground – the ground that already belongs to me.

Ask: In what areas of my life do I need to stand strong and hold the ground that God has given me? What is the enemy trying to “steal, kill or destroy” that God says is mine (John 10:10)?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for the good gifts you have given me. Thank you for my marriage, family, and relationships. Thank you for my health, my reputation and my joy. Thank you for my hopes and dreams. Thank you for everything in my life that is good – I will hold my ground, stand up for what you have given me and claim what is mine. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Therefore 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, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:13-15

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

This morning I consider the places where I need to hold my ground against the enemy of my soul. All the goodness that God is bringing into my life, the evil one wants to steal, kill or destroy. How does God want me to stand firm? The defensive posture begins with two pieces of armor – the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. My feet are then fitted and ready to speak peace. How might God be inviting me to stand up for what is mine – in my relationships, my family, my home, my workplace? How does God want to help me maintain the ground that Christ has already won for me?

Pause and Pray

Come, mighty Lord Jesus, you are already victorious and you are the one who can teach me to stand firm and hold the good ground of my relationships and circumstances. Make me unwilling to budge an inch when I encounter lies, falsehood, untruth and wrongdoing. Let nothing move me but the truth and righteousness of God. Amen.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

I leave this time of prayer ready to stand firm in God’s power and work for his goodness, righteousness and peace in the lives of others.

Amen