Armor of the Lord

“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. 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. 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. And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying.”

Ephesians 6:10-18

Lord,

            I give this day to You, for I am tired of trying to control everything and ending up depressed, hopeless, frustrated and utterly exhausted. I was not made to control but to surrender yet I grasp these chains with unyielding strength, even though they’re suffocating me. Help me to believe I deserve more than this—that I don’t deserve the gruesome and blood-curdling pain I inflict upon myself to numb the relentless and debilitating feelings of shame and guilt I’ve grown accustomed to for something completely out of my control. Help me to see truth: that it was not my fault, nor do You blame me for the heartless injustice uttered toward Your vulnerable, innocent and pure little girl—Your prized possession. Show me that although no one else heard her piercing and desperate cries for protection and deliverance—that You heard and wept for the unthinkable injustice she’d silently endured. Remind this wounded and bleeding little girl that pain is not of You but of the hater of her soul and although it may sting with burning and skin-peeling aggression, You and You alone can bring beauty from the injustice and gently bandage her gushing wounds, bringing forth healing and redemption. Although walking through the pain is far more uncomfortable and seems wholly impossible, remind her that it’s only temporary and absolutely necessary in order to move forward. And when this girl wants nothing more than to run back into the welcoming and comfort-filled arms of pain, for it’s all she’s ever known, remind her that she deserves so much more—that she was not created for pain and to simply go through the motions but rather to embrace life with passion, spontaneity, joy, and unrestrained courage. Help her to put on the full armor of God so she can declare her stand against the schemes of her heartless aggressor. Help her to stand firm with the belt of truth tightly buckled around her waist so she can see past and resist the devil’s lies; with the breastplate of righteousness in place to guard her wounded and bleeding heart—the overspring of life—so it can once again burst forth with life and unquenchable passion; with her feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace—forever at rest with the peace of God and therefore revitalized and ready to fight and take her stand for the spot You’ve saved for her precious soul created solely in Your perfect image; to embrace her place in this world as a light in the darkness and instrument of God; to take up the shield of unwavering faith so she can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one before they breed destruction, so they can in no way harm her; to take the helmet of salvation protecting her mind—the battleground—from the lies of hopelessness, depression and shame only to embrace the truth of salvation, which is freedom, life, unquenchable passion, joy and every other good thing You’ve promised to those who believe; to accept everything You long to offer her—everything of value; to take the sword of the Spirit—the Word—to fight against the hater of her soul and perfector of deceit. Help her to pray without ceasing, forever in Your presence of safety and grace, and to always be alert and aware of the enemy’s schemes as he waits like a lion, momentarily ready to pounce on his unexpecting victim with relentless and unyielding aggression.  Give her everything she needs to walk in victory and embrace the life You’ve created for her.