How do I "put on" God's Armor?
This life in Christ begins with learning, affirming, and trusting in each part of the armor. The first part is truth--God's revelation of all that He is to us, all that He has done for us, and all that He promises to do for us in the days ahead. This enduring truth is written in the Bible, revealed by the Holy Spirit, and realized through Jesus Christ. It cuts through all the world's distortions, deceptions, and compromises. When you study, memorize, live, and follow truth, it enables you to see the world from God's high vantage point. Putting on the first piece of the armor means feeding on truth through daily Bible reading and making it part of yourself.
To put on the "full armor"--and enjoy a daily and eternal love-relationship with Jesus Christ, thank Him for what He has shown you in His Word. Know the Scriptures behind your prayer so that your words and faith are grounded in the authority of the Bible. (Some of those verses are listed in the chart above.) Then pray through each piece. You can use the following prayer as an outline:
+ The belt of truth: Thank you, my Lord, for showing me the truth about yourself. Thank you for reminding me that You are the only God, the
Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who
loves me, and my Shepherd who leads me. You are my wisdom, my
counselor, my hope, and my strength. You are everything I need each day.
+ The breastplate of righteousness: Thank you for showing me the truth
about myself--that on my own I could never be good enough to live in
your presence. Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering
me your righteous life. Lord, show me any sin that I need to confess
right now, so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing
with your Spirit. [Take time for confession] Thank you for forgiving me
and for filling me with your righteous life.
+ The sandals of peace:Thank you for the peace you give me when I trust
and follow you. Show me how to help others find that peace.
+ The shield of faith: Thank you for helping me have faith in you. I choose
to count on everything you have shown me about yourself--and everything
you have promised me in your Word.
+ The helmet of salvation: Thank you for promising me salvation both for
today's battles and for all eternity.
+ The sword of the spirit, the Word of God: Thank you for the scriptures you
have given me to memorize. Please show me which one(s) you want me to
use to cut through deceptions and gain your victory in any battle I may face
today.