As someone recently said-"Watch your six"

I have been hearing lately something of the spiritual warfare going on.
This is actually a good thing.
It means we are doing some pushing and our enemy is pushing right back.
Yes, I have been noticing a "little" war going on myself. And we know that if we are not watching our thoughts...... instead of using our weapons against the real enemy-- we begin to fight instead with those around us. The tools our enemy most often use. This does not make for a very pleasant everyday life.
Over the years I have heard many uses of the six chapter of Ephesians
as preparation for warfare.
But many times when someone would say -Put on your armor--I would want to scratch my head and say............secuse me, but could you break that down for me?
I mean really---how many of us get up in morning and reach for a helmet?
Here is the passage in The Message--I like the way it breaks it down.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.(Is that cool or what?)

13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. (AMEN!)Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting (Yahoojah!) you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

I just love that last part about prayer. A friend of mine posted on that today. If you get a chance go on over to MelanieJoy's and check out her post on warfare. It is really pretty awesome.

Praying God's word in our fight against satan- is the most important, powerful tool we can pull out. While reading a book last week I was fascinated by the way the woman prayed her armor on. I thought it was the best break down of the above verses in the Ephesians six passage that I have ever seen. See what you think.

"She dropped the curtains, bowed her head, and started the day over again by putting on her armor, piece by piece. Beginning with her shoes. 'Thank you , Jesus, that I stand forgiven and cherished, firm and secure in the peace I have with you," she breathed softly. "Thank you that the belt of your truth holds me together. That the body armor of your perfect righteousness covers and protects me. Thank you that the filter that protects my mind is the truth of my salvation, of who I am in you. I pray your Word would come against every scheme of the enemy in my life and in those of my loved ones today, Jesus. And I thank you for the powerful shield of faith. I pray you would help me to stay under it. Strengthen my arms to life it up. Put your angels around me, Lord. Help me to pray in the Spirit today, and lead other to pray for me."


Isn't that great?
Let's do all to stand!
And while we are standing, let's encourage others to do the same.
Let's fight the good fight.
Pray. And when you are finished--begin again.
Pray the Word of God without ceasing.