21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2021: Day 6

DAY 6: I AM EQUIPPED IN CHRIST
Saturday, February 13

READ
Ephesians 6:10-18

REFLECT
Every single one of God’s children has encountered spiritual warfare to some degree. And we often think Satan’s primary target is us. However, the ultimate target is God. In his book, The Truth about Spiritual Warfare, Mark Corts writes about Job’s suffering:

“Natives in Africa say, ‘When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled.’ That’s what we see happening in the Book of Job—the clearest look behind the curtain in the Bible. Two titans, God and Satan, were engaged in warfare, and Job was the grass that got trampled. Here’s the key point in understanding suffering as spiritual warfare: Satan was not attacking Job—he was attacking God…. If Satan attacks Job or attacks us, it is ultimately to tarnish the image of God among the heavenly hosts.”

Our role in spiritual warfare is not to defend ourselves, but to respond in such a way that gives God the glory and credit He is due. Our response to suffering and spiritual warfare tells others that God is deserving of our allegiance. In order to do this, God has equipped us with His armor. Because the battle is the Lord’s, Ephesians 6:10 calls it the armor of God, not the armor of man. We are invested in God’s battle, not our’s.

God not only provides us with spiritual gifts to serve others, He also equips us with spiritual armor to withstand the attacks of Satan. Knowing our identity in Christ in this way allows us to stand ready against the enemy’s schemes for the glory of God.

RESPOND
Spend time in prayer, following the Upward, Inward, Outward, Upward format.

Upward: Who God is; What God has done, is doing, will do
Inward: Who you are; How you live
Outward: Intercession for others; unified prayer focus with Pathway

TODAY’S PRAYER: We confess that spiritual warfare is not about us but about you God. We desire to be equipped with your armor so we can defend your name. We realize our identities are wrapped up in who you are. Because of this, our battles are your battles. You have given us everything we need to stand firm and win. We are on the right side of history because we are on your side! Help us then to view nonbelievers in our city as not people to fight against but as people to fight for!

Upward: Thanksgiving and Worship