"with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:15
Father who fights for us,
I find it significant that spiritual and mental speed and agility are attributes you consider critical in spiritual warfare. And it does follow that such speed and agility comes from having a keen knowledge of scripture. But this verse goes deeper than that, I think. You are not telling us that simply a knowledge of scripture gives us that spiritual agility in warfare, but it is that we internalize the good news of scripture such that it gives us peace. The "good news" of the gospel is that your Son has been victorious over death and over evil and that, thereby, we will also be victorious. And that because of his victory over sin and death, we have the forgiveness of our sins and have the ultimate victory over death. Thus we can have peace.
But why does that make us swift and agile in spiritual warfare? I am reminded that the most fearsome warriors are those who are fearless. By having absolute peace in the knowledge of who we are in you and what is our ultimate destination - knowledge that comes from the gospel of peace, we can wage war against evil fearlessly.
Lord Jesus and Spirit of God, give these children a deep understanding of your gospel. May that deep understanding give them total peace in their salvation and peace in knowing they are on the side of total victory. With that deep knowledge make them fearless in facing the evil they will encounter such that they will be more than conquerors.
Amen
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Full Armor of God - Breastplate of Righteousness
"With the breastplate of righteousness in place." Ephesians 6:14
Dear Father, protector of your people,
As I think of the significance of a breastplate, I imagine protection in battle from a frontal attack. As I relate that to our lives today, I understand that the surest protection against unjust attack, of attack against character and wrongful accusation is living a life of righteousness. Having a reputation that causes people to be unwilling to believe the attacks.
I pray that these children come quickly to understand the importance of a good and righteous reputation, one that can defend them against the frontal attacks that they will invariably face at some point or points in their lives. Give them keen insight that choosing to live rightly is the path that best allows them to stand confidently in all circumstances.
Protect them from the temptation to rationalize unrighteous acts. Give them your wisdom to recognize when they are being tempted to rationalize and justify actions that are not right. Help them to have the courage to ask the important question - "what is the right thing to do" and then the courage to follow through to follow that right path.
Reward them greatly when the choose righteousness, both in this life and the life to come.
Amen
Dear Father, protector of your people,
As I think of the significance of a breastplate, I imagine protection in battle from a frontal attack. As I relate that to our lives today, I understand that the surest protection against unjust attack, of attack against character and wrongful accusation is living a life of righteousness. Having a reputation that causes people to be unwilling to believe the attacks.
I pray that these children come quickly to understand the importance of a good and righteous reputation, one that can defend them against the frontal attacks that they will invariably face at some point or points in their lives. Give them keen insight that choosing to live rightly is the path that best allows them to stand confidently in all circumstances.
Protect them from the temptation to rationalize unrighteous acts. Give them your wisdom to recognize when they are being tempted to rationalize and justify actions that are not right. Help them to have the courage to ask the important question - "what is the right thing to do" and then the courage to follow through to follow that right path.
Reward them greatly when the choose righteousness, both in this life and the life to come.
Amen
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The Full Armor of God - Belt of Truth
"Stand firm, then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist." Ephesians 6:14
Father,
We have moved into a post-modern age when "truth" is considered no longer to exist or is considered rather to be relative and a matter of opinion. These children will be bombarded with that world view as they grow up. They will be considered close minded if they hold that truth exists, particularly if they hold that truth exists in the form of your revealed word - the Bible. The post-modern view has developed because science and knowledge has not solved humanity's problems and the answers in science that we were so sure of, have continually been disproved by new knowledge - thus the view that we simply can't ever know what is true.
As your word described truth as a belt, it makes sense to me as the primary purpose of a warrior's belt was to hold the sheath for their sword. And the sword is described as the "word of God". As a sword does little good unless it is held in place by the sheath and the belt, so your Word is of little value unless the holder believes that truth exists and that your word is truth.
I pray that your wisdom fills these children and allows them to understand that a world without truth is chaos and that you are a God who created order, and thus you would not have left your creation in chaos by failing to give us truth. That by your wisdom they refuse to accept the lie that truth is relative and that they embrace the existence of truth and seek it. Though I pray they seek truth in all aspects of life, I pray that their overarching search of truth is to search within your revealed truth, the Bible. Give them a desire to learn your truth and to live by it and bless them richly as they search for your guidance in life. And do not let them be put to shame for their commitment to your truth as you give them the ability to articulate their beliefs in a way that can answer their post-modern critics, as your wisdom within them shines through.
Above all, let your Spirit transform their lives as He uses your truth as His sculpting tool.
Amen
Father,
We have moved into a post-modern age when "truth" is considered no longer to exist or is considered rather to be relative and a matter of opinion. These children will be bombarded with that world view as they grow up. They will be considered close minded if they hold that truth exists, particularly if they hold that truth exists in the form of your revealed word - the Bible. The post-modern view has developed because science and knowledge has not solved humanity's problems and the answers in science that we were so sure of, have continually been disproved by new knowledge - thus the view that we simply can't ever know what is true.
As your word described truth as a belt, it makes sense to me as the primary purpose of a warrior's belt was to hold the sheath for their sword. And the sword is described as the "word of God". As a sword does little good unless it is held in place by the sheath and the belt, so your Word is of little value unless the holder believes that truth exists and that your word is truth.
I pray that your wisdom fills these children and allows them to understand that a world without truth is chaos and that you are a God who created order, and thus you would not have left your creation in chaos by failing to give us truth. That by your wisdom they refuse to accept the lie that truth is relative and that they embrace the existence of truth and seek it. Though I pray they seek truth in all aspects of life, I pray that their overarching search of truth is to search within your revealed truth, the Bible. Give them a desire to learn your truth and to live by it and bless them richly as they search for your guidance in life. And do not let them be put to shame for their commitment to your truth as you give them the ability to articulate their beliefs in a way that can answer their post-modern critics, as your wisdom within them shines through.
Above all, let your Spirit transform their lives as He uses your truth as His sculpting tool.
Amen
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Full Armor of God
Powerful Father,
I pray that these children will choose to call on and rely on your strength and your mighty power and take their stand against the evil one and his schemes. Remind them that their struggle is not against people, though there will be people who disappoint them and hurt them, rather that their struggle is against the evil one and his agents. That they come to understand that they are in a spiritual war that can only be won by relying on your power, and that they should not hate the individual who hurts them, but rather hate the evil one who influenced them to behave that way.
Help them to understand that spiritual war is real and it demands that they understand that stay close to you for protection. And when the day of evil comes, they will be able to stand their ground and at the end of battle, that they will remain standing.
Amen
I pray that these children will choose to call on and rely on your strength and your mighty power and take their stand against the evil one and his schemes. Remind them that their struggle is not against people, though there will be people who disappoint them and hurt them, rather that their struggle is against the evil one and his agents. That they come to understand that they are in a spiritual war that can only be won by relying on your power, and that they should not hate the individual who hurts them, but rather hate the evil one who influenced them to behave that way.
Help them to understand that spiritual war is real and it demands that they understand that stay close to you for protection. And when the day of evil comes, they will be able to stand their ground and at the end of battle, that they will remain standing.
Amen
Psalm 25
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame by having placed my trust in you, for no one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame.
Show these children your ways, O Lord, teach them your paths. Guide them in your truth and teach them, for you are God, their Savior, may they put their hope in you all day long. Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of our youth and our rebellious ways, according to your love, only remember who we are, your children and protect these children from repeating our mistakes. For you are good, O Lord.
You are good and upright, and therefore you instruct sinners in your ways. You guide the humble in what is right and teach them your way. All of your ways are loving and faithful, for those who strive to follow your ways.
For the sake of your Name, O Lord, forgive the iniquities of these children, though they may be great. As these children worship you, instruct them in the ways chosen for them. Let them spend their days showered by your blessings. Confide in them your ways. As their eyes turn to you, release them from the snares in which their mistakes have caused their feet to be trapped. Turn to them and be gracious to them when they are lonely or emotionally wounded. When the troubles of their hearts have multiplied, free them from their anguish. Guard their lives and rescue them, let them not be put to shame as they take refuge in you.
May they be people of integrity and uprightness, and may that protect them as they put their hope in you. Redeem them, O Lord, from all the troubles they encounter.
Amen
Show these children your ways, O Lord, teach them your paths. Guide them in your truth and teach them, for you are God, their Savior, may they put their hope in you all day long. Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of our youth and our rebellious ways, according to your love, only remember who we are, your children and protect these children from repeating our mistakes. For you are good, O Lord.
You are good and upright, and therefore you instruct sinners in your ways. You guide the humble in what is right and teach them your way. All of your ways are loving and faithful, for those who strive to follow your ways.
For the sake of your Name, O Lord, forgive the iniquities of these children, though they may be great. As these children worship you, instruct them in the ways chosen for them. Let them spend their days showered by your blessings. Confide in them your ways. As their eyes turn to you, release them from the snares in which their mistakes have caused their feet to be trapped. Turn to them and be gracious to them when they are lonely or emotionally wounded. When the troubles of their hearts have multiplied, free them from their anguish. Guard their lives and rescue them, let them not be put to shame as they take refuge in you.
May they be people of integrity and uprightness, and may that protect them as they put their hope in you. Redeem them, O Lord, from all the troubles they encounter.
Amen
Monday, January 23, 2012
Psalm 63
O God, you are my God.
May these children earnestly seek you, may their souls thirst for you, may their very being long for you, when their lives seem a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Let them see you in your sanctuary and behold your power and glory, because your love is better than life,
I pray their lips will glorify you. That they will praise you as long as they live and in your name they will life up their hands. Satisfy their souls as with the richest foods, so that with singing lips their mouths will praise you.
May they remember you on their beds, and think of you through the watches of the night.
Be their help so that they can sing under the shadow of your wings.
May their souls cling to you and your right hand uphold them.
Amen
May these children earnestly seek you, may their souls thirst for you, may their very being long for you, when their lives seem a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Let them see you in your sanctuary and behold your power and glory, because your love is better than life,
I pray their lips will glorify you. That they will praise you as long as they live and in your name they will life up their hands. Satisfy their souls as with the richest foods, so that with singing lips their mouths will praise you.
May they remember you on their beds, and think of you through the watches of the night.
Be their help so that they can sing under the shadow of your wings.
May their souls cling to you and your right hand uphold them.
Amen
Sunday, January 22, 2012
They are your Sheep
Father, shepherd of your sheep,
These children are your sheep and you are their shepherd, please watch over their souls.
Their souls to keep watching over them ever, watching wherever they go.
And when the wind blows, please be their shelter. And when they're lost and alone, please rescue them.
And when the lion comes, please be their victory, constantly watching over them. Constantly watching over them.
They are your children and you are their Father, please watch over their souls, for great is your love for your sons and your daughters, watching wherever they go.
So when the wind blows, you are their shelter and when they're lost and alone, you rescue them and when the lion comes, you are their victory, constantly watching over them, you'll be constantly watching over them.
Amen
These children are your sheep and you are their shepherd, please watch over their souls.
Their souls to keep watching over them ever, watching wherever they go.
And when the wind blows, please be their shelter. And when they're lost and alone, please rescue them.
And when the lion comes, please be their victory, constantly watching over them. Constantly watching over them.
They are your children and you are their Father, please watch over their souls, for great is your love for your sons and your daughters, watching wherever they go.
So when the wind blows, you are their shelter and when they're lost and alone, you rescue them and when the lion comes, you are their victory, constantly watching over them, you'll be constantly watching over them.
Amen
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