Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Jared’s Message, July 31, 2022

Ephesians 6:15-16

Taking Up the Pieces of Armor: Peace and Faith

Introduction: Instead of relying on conventional wisdom and the methods of the day we must flee to the armor of God, praying for His wisdom to equip us for spiritual battle and ultimately for victory. In order to fight our enemies, we need peace with God and trust in God:

1. Our Shoes: The Gospel of Peace (6:15)

… as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

We must possess the gospel fully. We have to have peace with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When our fears are replaced with confidence that our sins are forgiven and we are forever reconciled to God, our feet are firmly planted in peace and we can stand firmly against every attack.

Paul told us in Ephesians 2:14-17 that Christ is our peace, and He came and preached peace to all. If we have received that peace He gives, we too must announce it. We have peace and we take it to the ends of the earth. Do we have on our gospel shoes?

Lord Jesus, thank You for the peace You have given to us. Please help us all to have that solid footing of peace with God and to be ready to share the gospel of peace with others.

1. Our Shield: Faith (6:16)

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one…

When the enemy throws darts of doubt, discouragement, deception, and rebellion, we must meet them with faith in God and His promises.

Often God Himself is pictured in the Bible as a shield. Our faith in God, knowing and taking refuge in Him, is our shield against the attacks of the enemy. To resist the devil, we must trust and have confidence in God. How?

• Choose to trust Him in all of life’s circumstances.

Read the Bible regularly. Consider reading a Psalm every day since the Psalms are first-hand examples of trusting God, often when in danger. The Psalmist will rejoice and give glory to God even when still in conflict: that is actively trusting God. Tell the Lord the situation, then rehearse who God is and what He has promised to do.

• Know that God is strong and you are weak.

Knowing your weakness, you can stand behind God’s strength, allowing Him to win the victory for you. God’s Word will remind you of His strength and His promises. When your trust is totally in Jesus, there is nothing you need fear. If He is sitting at the right hand of the Father with authority over all, you can trust Him in everything. You will face many battles, but the answer to winning them is faith in God.

Father, please lead us daily to Your Word. Help us to choose to trust You by rejoicing in and praising You for who You are and what You have promised to do. Help us to realize how weak we are and how mighty You are, and choose to trust in You and not in ourselves.