40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 20

Focus: Taking Your Stand
By Naomi Johnson, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).

Devotional:
Let’s look at God’s armor and make sure we have it on. First Paul says, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth” (Ephesians 6:14). A Roman soldier’s girdle was all-important because his breastplate rested on it and his sword hung from it. It was the foundation of his entire armor.

Truthfulness! You’ll accomplish nothing worthwhile if your life isn’t based on it—if you are lying to yourself, deceiving others, and trying to “block out” what God is saying to you.

Righteousness! “. . . having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). The breastplate of righteousness is not a list of “do’s and don’ts.” The moment you trust in Christ, you are made righteous before God. From that point on, He sees you “in Christ” (Romans 8:1). The blood of Jesus alone transforms you from the inside out and wraps you up in His identity. Your defense against the enemy is not what you have made of yourself, but what Christ has made you to be.

Peace! “And your feet shod with the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). What does this tell you? God’s peace will keep you standing when others fall; it will keep your priorities in place as you move toward your God-given goals. And you will refuse to go anywhere, do anything, or think any thought, unless it maintains the peace of God in your life.

Salvation! “And take the helmet of salvation . . .” (Ephesians 6:17). By calling this “the helmet of salvation,” Paul could not have made a more powerful statement about your redemption.
Because the helmet of salvation covers your head, Paul is saying that our minds must be focused at all times on the most basic of all spiritual truths—you are saved!

The Word! “. . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). So far, all of your armor has been “defensive.” Now you must put on the one piece that is “offensive.” If you really want to hurt the enemy where it counts, start declaring the Word of God to him, and he’ll flee. He has to! He can’t handle being repeatedly stabbed and slashed by the sword of God’s Word, which is the very life of God!

Prayer Points:

* Lord, teach us how to pray more.
* Pray that doubt and fear would flee.
* Pray for strength to take our Stand.