Equipped

EQUIPPED

a prayer to open

Here I am, Lord. Remind me who I am.

I am loved. I am known. I belong to you.

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

For the past three days, we have read about the ways God has equipped us as followers of Jesus to withstand Satan’s schemes to seduce our hearts away from God and question our own security in Jesus. In addition to a belt, body armor, and shoes, we are also equipped with a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. We can learn how to use some of these tools by looking at Jesus. When he was taken into the wilderness and tempted by Satan, Jesus used a shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. He responded to each of Satan’s three temptations by speaking the Word of God aloud (see Matthew 4:3-10). Not only that, but he also exercised faith by believing God’s Word over Satan’s promises and lies. Amazingly, we are equipped to ward off Satan’s lies and promises and can access the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer, if only we would stay alert!

• Reflect on your greatest temptation (for example, engaging in destructive or sinful conduct; not loving in the ways Jesus calls; or not believing what God has revealed as true about you, himself, or others). When you give in to that particular temptation, what are you not believing about either what God has said or what he has revealed about himself?
• What kinds of activities, attitudes, and relationships prevent you from being alert and able to pray?
• Take a moment to quiet yourself in God’s loving presence. Ask him to open your eyes and heart to the ways he wants you to see and utilize the tools he has equipped you with to grow your trust in him. What did he bring to mind?

Father, thank you for this rich reminder that through Christ, you have equipped me with faith, salvation, and your Word. I don’t always live as if I am armed with these things. Sometimes I feel vulnerable, afraid, unsure, and alone. Sink this image and these words into my heart and mind so I wake up in the morning trusting fully that there is no reason to hold back my love. You have set me free and given me all I need to love as you do and stand firm to the end. Amen.