Ephesians 6 – Armor of God

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Putting on the armor of God is not something I think about on a daily basis. I should but I do not. When I experience adversity during my day, I offer up quick arrow prayers and go on. These prayers usually provide what I need at that moment without me pondering who I am fighting against. Most days I battle my deadlines.

However, I decide to go on a mission trip and suddenly I understand what Paul is talking about in Ephesians. These trips require many flights, layovers and places to stay all that demand precise coordination. One small delay can throw off the entire schedule. Some airlines only fly every other day or once a week to my final, remote destination so missing a connection changes everything. Other instances, all the flights run on time but not my luggage, so I arrive with only the clothes on my back. Some areas require malaria medicine which plays havoc with my stomach. I can’t drink the water, and on and on. In the middle of all the chaos, I understand the battle that is raging around me. I open my bible to reread Paul’s words and I prepare myself for the fight. I should do this earlier in the war but it is better late than never.

Currently, I am preparing for a mission trip. My husband and I depart in two weeks and I feel the battles beginning. For the first time ever, my husband became ill after taking his typhoid medicine.  Things at work are crazy busy right now and I wonder how I can leave it behind for two weeks. So as I prepare, I am putting on the full armor of God earlier so I can fight off those fiery arrows sent to get me off track. And just as Paul wrote to us, I ask you to pray for us as we go. Ephesians 6:19 “And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for those we serve too.”

Blessing,
Yvonne

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”