Ephesians 6: 10-18 tells us to put on the full armour of God “so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Eph 6: 13 ESV). The armour is not a suggestion it’s an instruction, so that we may effectively serve Christ. We should therefore be putting it on every morning before we start to pray, or read God’s word. We all wash and get ready in the morning as a matter of routine. We would not leave the house without brushing our hair or teeth. Putting on the armour of God should be as routine, and essential as that.

When you read the individual pieces of armour listed: Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation and Sword of the Spirit, you realise that the armour itself, is Jesus. That we “put on” Jesus. The pieces of that armour are the promises given by Jesus to us about our status in Him. Without Jesus at the heart of all we do, we will be ineffective, as we will be working from our own strength and not His. We are also not able to defeat the enemy ( Satan) in our own strength so, again, need to “ put on” Christ to do this. By putting on Christ before we pray or read God’s word, or serve in any capacity we are reminding the world and Satan that the fight is already won. Because through the cross Jesus claimed the victory over sin and death, and He harrowed hell before His resurrection and final ascension to Heaven.

Ephesians 6:10-18 reminds us that although the war is won, until Jesus returns there are still “local skirmishes”. You and your faith are a local skirmish, as the enemy will do all he can to distract, discourage and derail your faith. Every time you go to pray, read the word or serve Christ in any capacity, you will be in the firing line. So it is imperative to suit up. To be “ in Christ”. Galatian’s 3: 26-27 states: “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ”.

I was saved out of the New Age in 2024 and learning to pray was a major battle for me. When I was first saved I could not pray silently in my mind at all. I experienced physical interference, presences and voices. So I prayed out loud, and I prayed from written prayers so I could concentrate on the text and not get distracted. It was like fitness training. A day at a time, little by little. And little by little, by God’s Grace in helping me be persistent, ground was won. A major help in gaining that ground was learning to put on the armour of God. Fortunately, a kind friend , mature in the faith, gave me this wonderful prayer, which I want to share today. The prayer itself is not a magic formula, it does not add anything to the text of Ephesians 6. But what it does is remind us of all God’s promises, and those reminders, again, root our identity in Christ. So that we put Him on as our armour. Alternatively, you could just pray through the scripture of Ephesians 6: 10-18, all you need is there. It doesn’t matter which method you use, the most important thing is the armour, Christ, and putting Him on.

So here it is:

1. I put on the BELT of TRUTH that I am a child of God and the evil one cannot harm me. (1 John 3:1; 5:18)
2. I put on the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS and affirm that I am in Christ Jesus who is my righteousness. (1 Cor: 30)
3. I stand firm in the gospel of peace because since I have been justified by faith I have peace with God through my Lord Jesus. (Rom 5:1)
4. I take up the SHIELD of FAITH that I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)
5. I take up the HELMET of SALVATION and nothing will be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord. (Rom 8:39)
6. I take up the SWORD of the SPIRIT which is the WORD of God, because through it I am thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:17)
7. I commit this day to you in prayer, standing firm in You and knowing that APART from You, I can do nothing. (John 15:5)

I pray that you will find strength through the truth of those words and remember that “all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8: 28). And that apart from Jesus, we really can do nothing (John 15:5).

God bless you, and keep you

*bible translation used: English Standard Version (Crossway, 2016).