Scripture is clear that as Christians we are in a spiritual battle. This is simply anything that will disrupt or deter our journey of faith. The full armor of God prayer is for our protection. to help us stand strong in the Lord and free from fear.
Full Armor of God Prayer
The armor of God is a metaphor for every spiritual blessing that has been given to us in Christ Jesus to enable us to be strong in our faith. It is based on the imagery of a soldier standing and prepared for battle. This was a familiar sight in the time of the early church when much of the known world was occupied by Roman soldiers.
Armor of God Prayer Ephesians 6
The full armor of God prayer consists of seven items that we have been given to stand in the Lord, through any difficulties. Five of the items are defensive and for our protection:
- The belt of truth
- Breastplate of Righteousness
- Shoes of the gospel of peace
- The shield of faith
- Helmet of salvation.
The remaining two items are offensive to oppose and defeat the schemes of Satan. And they are the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and prayer.
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round 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 for all the Lord’s people.”
Ephesians 6:14-18 NIV
Related Post: Spiritual Armor – Do We Need All 7 Pieces?
The Armor of God Prayer for Protection
The imagery of spiritual armor is a powerful one. It realigns our thoughts and our prayers with the truth of God’s word. This reminds us of our identity and our relationship with God. Our armor symbolizes who we are in Christ Jesus and all that He has won for us.
The full armor of God prayer reflects on each of the items in our spiritual armor and applies them to our lives today. As we pray reflecting on Scripture we are wielding our combined offensive weapons – the word of God and prayer!
Belt of Truth Prayer
The belt of truth is our character founded in the ‘Truth’ which is Jesus Christ. He is the exact representation of God and the only way to life. The truth holds everything together and defines our identity, who we are in the Lord.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“ John 14:6
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You are the Truth and that my identity is founded in You. I wrap myself in Your faithfulness, knowing that I am forever secure in Your love. I pray today that my character would reflect the truth of who I am as a much-loved child of God, in Your name, and for Your glory. Amen.
Breastplate of Righteousness Prayer
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God. The breastplate of righteousness is our right standing before God. This is credited to us by His grace and our faith in the Lord Jesus.
“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Romans 3:22
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You are my righteousness. Protect my heart today with the knowledge that my sins are forgiven, and that I am accepted by God. Remove all condemnation from me. Help me to remember that I am righteous in God’s sight, because of all that you have done, and won for me. Amen.
Related Post: Guard Your Heart Above All Else
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
This bible verse encourages us to have our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Once again this brings us back to Jesus – He is the ‘gospel’ the good news of peace. This is not an external peace, but a true inner sense of spiritual well-being that Jesus has won for us.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Isaiah 52:7
Here in Isaiah the description reflects the custom of messengers running barefoot. But the Roman soldier’s full armor included sturdy sandals to protect their feet. This enabled them to advance swiftly over rough ground.
We are fitted with a readiness to share the good news of Jesus as we are protected and supported as messengers by Him!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You equip those whom You commission. I praise You, that we have all we need, because we have the protection and support of Your presence with us. Help me to remember that I may be on my own, but I am never alone. I am ready with the knowledge, that You are more than enough for every situation that I may face. Amen.
Shield of Faith Prayer
So often we are slow to lift our shield of faith. We allow the slurs, lies, and deceit of the enemy to hit home and wound us. Often our focus is on who shot the arrow, rather than the force behind it working to derail and disrupt our spiritual growth.
But when we fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus, who is our salvation and the basis of our faith, we lift up our shield. In faith, the belief and knowledge of the love of the Lord, we are able to deflect those things that might cause us to question and doubt – and stand undeterred.
“But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3
Lord Jesus, I pray for wisdom and discernment to activate my faith, the shield around me, the truth of who I am in You. Help me to see the source of any attack and to lift up Your name as my protection and defense. Strengthen me in the security of Your victory, for the praise of Your Holy name. Amen.
Helmet of Salvation Prayer
The helmet of salvation protects our thought life and is vital to our spiritual health. The full armor of God prayer activates every part of the defenses that we have been given. Scripture refers in several places to the importance of our thought life. This is because our thoughts become a reflection of who we really are – what we think about matters!
It is the knowledge of our salvation that protects our minds. We have been forgiven of all our sins and are set free from fear and condemnation. We have a responsibility to co-work with the Holy Spirit and not to allow anything to disrupt our peace of mind. The peace of being reconciled with God that Jesus has won for us!
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
Lord Jesus, guard my mind today with the truth of my salvation, and the power of God’s intentional love for me. Let me receive afresh God’s amazing grace. Let it flood and fill every corner of my mind, washing away any negative thoughts. I thank you, Jesus, that my value and worth are founded in Your sacrifice. And that You were willing to give Your life that I might live abundantly. Amen.
What is Prayer in the Armor of God?
Prayer is our offensive weapon. As we pause for a moment and think what a privilege it is to be able to communicate with our Heavenly Father. We are able to bring our praise, worship, requests, and petitions before Almighty God. And we have an assurance that as we pray in faith, we can approach boldly with no condemnation or fear.
As we pray, guided by the Holy Spirt, in Jesus’ name, our prayers are powerful and effective as they permeate the spiritual atmosphere. When we verbalize our thoughts and listen for God’s response, our faith grows and is strengthened. And when we ask according to God’s word, and His will, we know that we will receive what we have asked for!
Recommended Reading: Secrets of a Prayer Warrior – Derek Prince. Available from Amazon UK, US.
Sword of the Spirit the Word of God – Our Spiritual Weapon
With the full armor of God when we combine prayer with Scripture we have a powerful offensive weapon. Before His ministry began Jesus was tested in the wilderness and He used Scripture to overcome the assault of the enemy.
Three times Satan tried to tempt Jesus to use His supernatural power, for His own needs, to impress people, and to compromise the word of God. Each time Jesus defeated the enemy with the word of God.
As we declare words of Scripture, in prayer, the Holy Spirit is powerful to work and act according to God’s purpose. The enemy cannot stand against the truth and the power of God’s word.
In the full armor of God prayer Jesus is central. Each part of our armor is a representation of Jesus and what He has done and won for us! Jesus is the Word – that which comes from God to fulfil His purpose in and for the world. And so we not only pray Scripture but in the victory of the Name of Jesus.
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Sharon, you found such a lovely way to incorporate prayer into each of the items of the armor of God. I resonated with what you said about how many times we are “slow to lift our shield of faith.” I never thought about it that way before. We really need to be courageous and keep our holy defenses up!