Wednesday August 17, 2022

Today is Wednesday, August 17 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.

Jesus is a strong and mighty Savior – I praise him with the ancient words of Psalm 45.

Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Psalm 45:3-5

Pause and Pray

The analogy Paul provides in Ephesians chapter six is one of a soldier prepared for war. Some dislike this passage because of the battle images. Maybe they have never been in a battle. Once a person battles cancer, or addiction, or temptation or systemic evil – you understand. There is evil in this world and Christians will be in conflict with it. In a battle you have defensive as well as offensive tools and tactics. Like a soldier prepared for an approaching enemy, the Christian is admonished to keep alert and stay awake. Like a century guarding the castle, the Christian walks the perimeter several times a day and looks for potential weaknesses in the defenses, determining where the enemy might strike unexpectedly.

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. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17

The armor God gives me to protect myself from the assault of the enemy is mostly protective – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. These tools for spiritual battle are defensive. The last one, a sword, is offensive. I have a weapon with which to fight back – the sword of the spirit. The word of God. The Bible. From the very beginning the serpent calls God’s word into question (Genesis 3:1). Satan comes to Eve as a serpent and twists and bends the word of God leading to sin. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Luke 4:9-12) the tempter used the same old tricks, twisting the word of God. Jesus counter attacks by quoting God’s word directly in response. Scripture has great power.

Ask: When have I utilized the word of God to combat temptation? When has the word of God revealed truth to me?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, your sacred word is truth and I want to live a life trusting your scripture and obeying your commands. Open the scriptures to me and speak your profound wisdom to my soul. Show me how to prepare myself for the spiritual attacks of the enemy and teach me how to respond offensively with the sword of the spirit – your word. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

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. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:14-17

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 long to mature in the faith and grow in holiness of heart and life, yet along with maturity comes potential spiritual attack. The enemy does not want me to make progress in the spiritual life, but hopes to weaken my faith and cause me to forfeit my trust in God. God encourages me to grow strong, be alert, and stay prepared. I consider where I need to shore up my defenses so I can stand firm. Perhaps God wants me to focus on truth, righteousness, peace, faith or confidence in my salvation – so I will be prepared for the enemy to whisper lies and threaten my resolve in these areas. Maybe God wants me to focus on the sword of the spirit – studying, memorizing and learning his word so that I am ready to respond to lies with truth. What is God saying to me today regarding this passage of scripture and my current circumstances?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, you are mighty to save! You have come to rescue me and teach me how to fight against evil in all aspects of my life. Come be my teacher, instructor and guide, show me how to arm myself with the good weapons of a righteous life and wield the sword of the spirit with confidence. With you I will vanquish the wiles of the enemy who wants me to lose the ground you have already won for me. Amen.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I leave this time of prayer armed with the sword of the spirit; I go to speak truth and righteousness and to share love and peace.

Amen