In this booklet we provide insight into Scriptural truths from Ephesians 6:10-18 about spiritual protection over the most precious things in our lives – our home and family.
Click here to DOWNLOAD a copy of this booklet for printing
Donation appreciated. See donate button at top of page. Thank you.
For printed booklets contact us.
CONTENTS
Protecting the Home
Living with a Spiritual Reality
Alert to Spiritual Intruders
Relationship with God First
Keeping Relationship Strong as Individuals
Keeping Relationship Strong in our Homes
Peter’s Testimony
Heavenly Power
A Role for us to Play!
Discerning the Devil’s Schemes
What do Schemes Look Like?
Struggle Against Unseen Forces
Standing Firm:
Using the Privilege of Prayer
Protected by the Name of Jesus
Knowing the Executive Power of Jesus’ Name
Binding and Loosing in Jesus Name
Covered by the Blood of Jesus
Applying the Power of Jesus’ Blood by Faith
Using the Armour of God
Daily Armour Prayer
Introduction
“Spread your protection over them; that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield.” Psalm 5: 11,12
Many of us put great effort into protecting our physical well-being and wealth. We guard our health by eating good food, exercising and taking vitamins. We put locks on houses, keep our money in banks, have alarms for our cars, and purchase insurance. The efforts we take to protect the physical part of life testify to the value we place on it.
How many of us give equal thought, time and daily attention to the spiritual protection of our homes and families, the people that we value? Or do we assume that this protection will be automatic? Do we even realise that we have a role to play for daily spiritual protection over our homes? Maybe some of us just don’t know where to begin. Generally we have found people don’t attend to spiritual protection until hard times hit or they are in crisis.
As Christians we learnt slowly about spiritually protecting our home and each other but are grateful for others who walked alongside us and taught us keys. Over the years we’ve come to value the importance of spiritual protection and daily watchfulness over our home, marriage, family and ministry as one of the most foundational elements of our Christian walk.
We are not experts, nor have we finished learning yet but others have started to ask us for tips and advice. So in this booklet and its companion ‘Spiritual Protection Daily Prayers’ we’ve compiled scriptural insights from Ephesians 6:10-18 and prayers for protection. We trust these will prove helpful to your journey. We are indebted to our team of prayer partners who have stood with us in prayer and practical ways to see these booklets come to fruition. Thanks to each of you.
We pray that God will use these booklets to help equip you to take up the spiritual keys of authority Jesus has given His people. As you do may you be strengthened in protecting your home, to the glory of God.
Peter and Kathryn Yaxley
Protecting the Home
The word ‘protect’ conjures up many things. Safety and security come to my mind. Covering, hiding, defending, and using strength on behalf of another are other related words. The image of a security guard on duty describes it well. Conversely we also think of vulnerability, exposure and robbery or damage as the result of leaving something unguarded and unprotected.
We learnt a valuable lesson about protection and vigilance the hard way during a move into a new home. We’d brought several boxes and items over to our newly rented house to drop them inside, just as we’d done the previous day. While walking around we noticed the screen off the window, leaning against the house wall. That was odd. The wind couldn’t have placed that so neatly. Neither of us had moved it the day before. We took a closer look around.
As we checked, we noticed several important items brought over the day before were in fact missing. It was with a sinking feeling that we realised that a thief had removed the screen and entered via the window overnight, helping themselves to our possessions.
We concluded someone must have observed the activity of the previous day, since the house had been vacant a while and there had been nothing in it to rob. The thief had seized his opportunity, knowing we were not yet in residence, nor had we taken all the security steps we intended. Now, we were missing a camera with some valued photos and our laptop computer. We felt violated and exposed. Insurance would not cover our losses because we were not yet living in the home.
We had learnt a valuable lesson about protection. The robber did not come when we were ready. Instead, we had been caught napping and unprotected. We were left to deal with the consequences, having to replace the stolen goods from our own savings. The photos were irreplaceable. You can be sure we became much more security conscious as a result. However, not all forces that threaten our homes and lives are those we can see.
Living with a Spiritual Reality
Scripture tells us that we are created by God, in His image, with a capacity to relate to Him as a spiritual being. (Genesis 1:26) This capacity to relate to God sets us apart from the rest of creation and lifts us beyond living in the material plane. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Our temptation (especially in our western culture) is to regard what we can see, this material world, as the determining force and central preoccupation of our lives, ignoring the spiritual dimension.
If we respond purely to the outward circumstances around us as being the crucial issue, letting them drive our priorities, then we are living on the physical plane. Jesus cautions us in Matthew 6:33, saying, “But seek first his [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [food, clothing] will be given to you as well.”In other words, Jesus is placing a higher premium on the spiritual reality of God’s kingdom among us (experiencing God, His love and power, serving Him in the world and loving others) than just this material one before our eyes.
As we seek God’s Kingdom first, we will come up against those unseen spiritual forces that work to oppose God’s will and purpose. (Mark 8:33) Scripture tells us about these fallen created angelic beings which rebelled against God and now work contrary to God’s will and purposes. (Eph 6:12) These go by the name of Satan, the devil, our Adversary, the Accuser and his demonic forces. (Luke 4, Rev 12:7-9) Their opposition to Almighty God is played out in the human arena of planet earth, against those who bear the divine image within them. (Job 1:8-12, Luke 22:31) The whole of humanity is engaged in contention between God and these forces of evil, though God is far superior to Satan – this is not a contest between equals. These unseen spiritual forces have an impact on each of us and our homes as well.
We live with the dual aspects of the physical world we can see, touch and feel AND the spiritual reality of life. These two worlds, material (physical) and spiritual interact to create the reality facing us. If we neglect the spiritual (of connection to God and contention against evil) at the expense of the material world or treat the material (physical world) as of greater value, we will be out of balance and out of step with a Biblical worldview.
Alert to Spiritual Intruders
As Christians we can easily take the presence of God for granted in our lives and homes. Similarly, since we can’t see evil forces, we can easily overlook their cunning engagement and activity against us and our family.
Imagine a home where no-one communicates. Arguments and misunderstandings steal the family’s peace, provoking discord between siblings and spouses. This leads to lies and condemnation. A vulnerable family member succumbs to low self esteem believing the warped picture of their character being painted. There is trouble with the neighbours who have accused the family of doing the wrong thing. The family appears defenseless, unprotected and unaware of the unseen spiritual trespassers who have invaded their home and robbed them of their resources. None of them seem aware of the evidence of Satan’s activity in their home or able to stand against these pressures. Does this scenario sound familiar in any way to your home or situation?
If we are not alert to, nor can recognise the presence of evil forces in our homes, we have become vulnerable to spiritual robbery of the blessings of God. We can suffer the consequences in an ongoing way. This is especially so if we do not know how to respond and resist these evil trespassers, instead looking only at the presenting issues. The situation is compounded where we neglect our walk with God.
If you resonate with the scenarios above, welcome to a learning journey that we share. Life is complex. We live with the reality of individual personality, life pressures, trials, sin, God’s power and the presence of evil. Learning how to recognise and respond appropriately to each is an important element of a growing Christian life. As we become more alert to the forces at work it helps us take an active role in protecting our families because they, even more than our earthly possessions, are worth protecting.
The path God used to help equip us led to a study of Ephesians 6:10-18. Paul’s exhortations provide many keys for the believer that inform our thinking and practice in the area of spiritual protection over ourselves and homes.
READ: Ephesians 6:10-18
Relationship with God First
Did you notice how Eph 6:10 starts? “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”. Paul begins his exhortations about spiritual protection and armour by focusing first on the Lord and our relationship with Him.
Spiritual protection starts with ‘the Lord’. Paul is reminding us that our own moral and spiritual strength is insufficient to protect us from those unseen evil forces at loose in the world. Paul points us to the truth that without relationship to ‘the Lord’ we have no means or resources for assured spiritual protection.
It is clear ‘the Lord’ refers to Jesus because Paul has just told us about this Lord in Eph 1:19-23 “..when he [God] raised him [Jesus] from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
This mighty, victorious, risen, and ascended Lord is the starting point for our spiritual protection. The battle between good (God) and evil (Satan) is not a battle of equals. Scripture makes it clear that Jesus is far superior to the power of Satan, having triumphed over Him through His victory on the cross.
Entering into relationship with God through this Risen Lord Jesus brings us under the covering of the most powerful being in the Universe. Remaining in relationship with this victorious King provides the power to learn to appropriate the mighty armour and weapons flowing from His victory on the cross of Calvary.
This prime call, this priority of relationship to God, is echoed in the first commandment which states that we are to love God, putting Him and our relationship with Him above all. From this order everything else must flow. When it comes to spiritual protection Paul echoes this order.
What follows in Ephesians 6:10-18 DEPENDS on relationship to the Risen Lord Jesus.
Keeping Relationship Strong as Individuals
As the first key to spiritual protection Paul exhorts us to keep our relationship with the Lord as our priority: “Be strong in the Lord.” How do we put this relationship first, as individuals? In the same way we strengthen earthly relationships, we need to nurture it and feed it, daily, giving God His place in our time and attention, through:
- Worshipping and loving the Lord with all we are (Matt 22:37)
- Fellowshipping in the community of faith (Heb 10:25)
- Reading God’s Word, allowing the Spirit to speak to us through it, feasting on its truths & applying it with His help (2 Tim 3:16, 17)
- Communing with God in prayer (remembering prayer is two way) (Luke 11:1-13)
- Opening our hearts to the ministry of God’s Spirit (John 14:26)
- Learning to recognise the Master’s Voice (John 10:16)
- Obeying the Lord (John 15: 14, John 14:21)
Our relationship to the Lord is strong if it is an obedient one. John 15:14 “You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.” There is no shortcut around an obedient life to receive the full benefits of God’s protection. This is one of the most basic principles regarding spiritual protection. No written prayers of protection can replace the need for a lifestyle of obedience to Almighty God.
Are you being obedient to God’s call on your life and walking in the light of His Word? If there is an area where you know you are out of the Divine will, put it right because it will impact on your spiritual protection, and that of your home.
What can you do to strengthen your relationship with the Lord?
Keeping Relationship Strong in our Homes
Putting our relationship with the Lord first also has a communal aspect. We often think of church attendance or home group in terms of fellowship. While that is important there is another very important level of community that we must not neglect: putting God first in our homes and families.
Those of us in Christian homes have a great opportunity to focus on the Lord together. Doing soas a couple and family has great authority when it comes to spiritual protection of the home. As Matthew 18:20 says: “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in their midst.”
- Spouses, do you spend time in prayer and reading the Bible with your partner and children, modeling a daily central focus on relationship with the Lord in your home?
- Do you practice family grace at meal times, family prayer after the evening meal, or devotions at bed time?
- As a husband and wife do you pray together daily, in the morning or evening?
- Christian husbands – you are the head of your wives and homes (Eph 5:23). It is very important that you pick up your role as spiritual leader and lead by example.
It takes time and effort to have joint prayer times as a couple, as well as your own times with the Lord. Persevere until you establish a routine that works, for the benefits are great. When a couple prays together over their home daily, it is like two knitting needles working together in unison to create a covering garment. One needle alone does not have the same benefit. “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
If one of you is not willing or committed to praying together, or you are the only Christian at home, you are the one to pray protection over yourself, home and children, partnering with the Lord.
Think about the devotional practices in your home. What can you do to strengthen this area of relationship with the Lord?
Peter’s Testimony
It took me a while to understand my role regarding spiritual protection in our home.
Just after we arrived in Southern Tasmania I observed that we were in a spiritual battle. Kathryn hurt her back and spent many weeks recuperating and other Christian leaders were facing health and other issues. I remember thinking, “If we are going to be involved in frontline Christian ministry long-term we need to make sure we have all the spiritual protection we need.” Not being the most spiritually sensitive person I often left this side of the spiritual battle to Kathryn. While I believed in spiritual protection and warfare, it just wasn’t part of my experience as a Christian.
Through teaching and observation, I saw the need to do something that enabled us to be covered and protected on a daily basis. I had to learn how to take the spiritual lead in our home. Different people had told us about ‘praying on the Armour of God daily.’ This came in the form of written prayers. Liturgy and written prayers were again not part of my upbringing. I can remember some of my denomination scoffing at denominations that read prayers. I have since discovered written prayers to be helpful. I found a number of written prayers that dealt with praying on the armour and wrote my own daily prayers.
My resolution was that we needed to pray together each morning using these prayers, pray for particular people and read a devotion together. We have done this for over ten years now. We wouldn’t have missed more than a couple of dozen times in those ten years. I have found that they serve two purposes, firstly asking for spiritual protection for us both and secondly a daily reminder of who we are in Christ. Kathryn will tell you that with me taking the spiritual leadership in this way, her own capacity to cope improved. My covering mattered.
Husbands, can I encourage you to take the lead, if you are not already doing so. Your covering will matter in your own homes. Your wife needs your leadership in this area as do your children. Your children also need to see it modelled. Christian husbands – you are the head of your wives (Eph 5:23). It is very important that you pick up your role and lead by example. Ask God to lead you in how you should be praying protection on your home.
Heavenly Power
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” Ephesians 6:10
As we keep a central focus on our relationship with the Lord, individually and corporately, there is heavenly power available to help us live a Christian life. Ephesians 1:19-21 tells us it’s the SAME power that raised Christ from the dead. “That you may know… his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms….”
Imagine a home where a quarter of the available lights are turned on. The globes in those lights shed dull light, leaving the family wandering around in semi darkness, occasionally bumping into each other. A powerful generator is installed on the outside wall though the extra voltage does not flow into the home. The switch remains turned off. The doors are open allowing the cold winter air to swirl through the home and the family feels the chill, though no-one puts on warmer clothes or shuts the door. Through these open doors destructive arrows of accusation and division shoot through the home, powered by unseen forces. Unaware, siblings blame each other. No-one realises that shutting and locking the door would help. The spouses accuse each other over the children’s behavior, also not recognising the unseen enemy stirring up dissension. A shadowy figure of a prowler lurks outside, frightening one daughter, but no-one calls for help or looks for the keys to lock the door. The fire remains unlit as the chill deepens. This family seems defenseless and unaware of what is going on and unable to address it. This is the home of one of the members of the local royal family, yet they live well below their means.
On a mantel piece over the fireplace is a shelf. On this shelf lie a number of unused potent objects that shimmer with latent royal power. Among them are a bunch of keys to lock each door. The manual for the power generator including instructions for turning it on is also there. It glows with enough potential power to light up the whole home. An unused box of matches to light the fire is there, again shimmering with latent power. Warm clothing for all, glowing with comfort and assurance lie folded and not put on. A top line mobile phone promises this family the communication link they need but it lies there unused. These are the supplies for this royal household.
This family is not without great provision and protection from the royal palace. They have a fine house to live in and a covering over their heads, though they could be enjoying much greater security and freedom. In fact, all they need for powerful, protected and light filled living lies on that shelf in arms reach. Yet these resources are unused as the family remains in distress, threatened by oppressive forces. What is the solution to this family’s circumstances? To recognise, pick up and learn to use the provided equipment.
Ephesians 1: 3 describes incredible riches available to us. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
God’s children do not lack any spiritual blessing. We have been abundantly provided for through relationship in Christ. However, our experience of some of this great inheritance, including the armour of God, is a work in progress. For some of us this power is still mostly a latent promise lying as it were on the shelf.
As we grow up in Christ, God expects us to claim the promises, learning to appropriate the provisions that are at His right hand, making use of those for spiritual protection. These include God’s Spirit (generator of power), His Manual – the Bible (Living Word), prayer (our communication link which also stokes the fires of relationship), the armour (God’s character and provision, clothing us with His comfort, peace, warmth and presence) and the delegated authority of Jesus (keys allowing us to use His Name, the power of His shed blood and prayers of binding and loosing).
We need to draw upon and access these blessings and provisions, learning to apply them in our daily lives. Until we do it’s a bit like being a member of that royal family, heir to wonderful resources. Instead of using them we walk around in dull light, cold and out of communication, waiting for God to rescue us, while the provisions still lie on the shelf.
A Role for us to Play!
Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes”.
God’s protection is powerful. As we obediently live ‘in Him’ His covering is mighty. However, there is a facet of our spiritual protection that also concerns us. ‘Put on’ and ‘take up’ (v16,17) are active states. It means we can take or leave the armour of God. We need to actively co-operate with God to be fully dressed.
In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus models the need to ask God for spiritual protection and deliverance. It is not automatic. It is clear He is speaking about Satan and his forces. ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:13 In this prayer He leaves us an example to follow.
In John 17:15 Jesus’ prayer for His followers is recorded. In it Jesus does what He has instructed His followers to do in the Lord’s Prayer. He prays these words, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one”. Jesus is praying for our spiritual protection. The Lord Jesus did not take spiritual protection for granted. In this same way God expects us to become an active partner with Him in spiritually protecting ourselves and our homes.
Would you step outside your front door one morning without any clothes on? No, you wouldn’t even consider it. In the same way we must take as seriously, Paul’s exhortation to put on and appropriate God’s means of spiritual protection. We have come to believe that this involves praying together daily about God’s armour appropriating God’s power for us in His character and resources. We do not do this in a superstitious way, but we are affirming our dependence on God by asking Him for help. We remind ourselves of who God is and who we are in Christ, as we access the resources He has made available to help us grow in victorious living. We recommend two books by Dutch Sheets: “Watchman Prayer” and “Intercessory Prayer” (especially chapter 6) for valuable insight on our responsibility concerning spiritual protection.
Discerning the Devil’s Schemes
Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes”.
This verse affirms that the devil’s schemes will come against each believer. This should alert us but not frighten us. Every believer needs to find out what it means to stand against the devil’s schemes.
There is one extreme view that says ‘ignore the devil & his schemes and you’ll be kept spiritually safe. It’s all about God; He’s done everything for us’. There is another extreme view that sees the devil’s schemes in every negative circumstance, forgetting God is pruning, training and refining us too. Both views are in error. The Bible says worship God alone (eyes on God), but also teaches that we need a healthy (but not obsessive) alertness to the enemy’s schemes AND be able to stand against them. (Eph 6:18b, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Thes. 5:6) Where do you stand in your attitude & practice?
As God expects each believer to take a stand against the devil’s schemes, we cannot afford to be ignorant of them. God must expect that we will be able to rightly discern them and that He will give us His help to do so. (2 Cor 2:11) We can rely on Him to teach and equip us in this area because God has overcome Satan and is far, far above him in position and power. There is none greater. We are on the Victor’s side.
“…And [God the Father] seated him [Christ] at his right hand in the heavenly realm, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Eph 1:20-23
“Therefore God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:9-11
In John 10:10, Jesus says of the devil, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” In contrast Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Jesus defines the nature of the devil’s work in the world as robbery, killing and destruction. This contrasts to Jesus’ abundant life giving presence that empowers and liberates.
Here are some other attributes of Satan that help detect his schemes.
John 8:44 – Murderer (taker of life)
John 8:44 – The father of lies
Matthew 4:1 – The devil tempts
Luke 8:12 – Stops God’s word from taking root in hearts
Luke 4:3 – Knows Scripture and uses it for His own ends
2 Cor. 11:14 – Masquerades as an angel of light – deceiver
Acts 10:38 – People can be under the devil’s power
Eph 4:27 – Can use sin (anger in this case) to gain a foothold in our lives
1Tim 3:7 – Devil can set traps
Rev 12:10 – Accuses, condemns – Satan in Hebrew means ‘accuser’
1 Peter 5:8 – Threatens, can make a lot of noise to intimidate and frighten
Praise God for these verses which highlight our response to the devil as well as Jesus’ final end for him.
Eph 6:10 – Can protect ourselves from the devil’s schemes using God’s spiritual armour
James 4:7 – Can be resisted and he will flee
Rev 12:11 – Can be overcome by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and the word of testimony
Rom 16:20 – Will soon be crushed by God
Matt 25:41 – Eternal fire prepared for him and his angels
Praise God 1 John 3:8 tells us “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” This Jesus accomplished on the cross. Satan is a vanquished foe. Now it’s our turn to appropriate Jesus’ victory, learning how to take our stand against the devil’s schemes to see Him flee, as we live in the power of God’s kingdom.
In Ephesians 6:10-18 the writer asks us to step up and resist the devil’s schemes, not as a focus but part of being a prepared soldier. Any earthly soldier on the battle front of war, who is ignorant of the enemy and his strategy, is an unprepared and foolish soldier. In the same way, we are cautioned to be alert and stand, not passively giving way through our ignorance of the unseen enemy or the resources available to us.
What do Schemes look like?
V 11 “..so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Life will always hold its share of challenging circumstances which God will use to train us to grow in faith, love and service. We need to accept that whilst we live in a sinful world these will always exist. We need to respond to these rightly. However one aspect of our trials will include growing in alertness to the devil’s intention to use these same circumstances for his purposes to rob, kill and destroy (of peace, of hope, of health, of vision, of faith, of strength of fellowship etc). This includes pressures over our home to make ungodly choices, to let faith and prayer slide and not stand firm to fulfill God’s will.
What shape do the devil’s schemes take? We have become alert to some schemes against our home when observing reoccurring patterns. Here are some examples. Have you ever noticed how sinful behavior (things like bickering, divisive attitudes, strife, envy, rage, jealousy) can rear its head at home and take over the dynamics with power like a dark storm? Can you relate to battling to stay awake when you are having your prayer time or listening to a sermon, when normally you have no trouble to stay awake? Can you identify when your conscience troubles you over a previously confessed sin with persistence that robs you of inner peace? Learning to identify pressure points and bring them to God in prayer is the start.
We found a pattern where tension in our home and between us was often at its worst on Sunday mornings before church. We would arrive at church, hindered in our unity and less receptive to the Word of God. The pressure did not seem as great at other times as we got ready to go out. In the heat of the moment it is often hard to recognise the activity of the devil and stop engaging or escalating the dissension. It was helpful to recognise the pattern, identify the source together and pray for God’s help over this scheme.
Have you ever noticed how pressure in a home seems to mount just prior to stepping out to do something new to serve God? This is another pattern we have observed. (Luke 4:1-12) We began to recognise it was important to carry on, resisting the pressure to give up, defer or not to complete the commitment.
When we are in stressful circumstances we have also noted the pressure to give way to disunity, tension, pickiness and blaming of each other, rather than standing side by side. Tiredness can exacerbate touchiness. It is normal to have differing opinions but when silly things inflate to become wedges we have given room to the work of the devil. Recognising this can help stop the devil from gaining power over our relationships. We need to take responsibility to learn how each other acts and reacts so we can live in harmony. This also means watching out for the enemy’s schemes against our marriage and family. Prayer is our weapon, asking God to preserve unity as a couple and in a home. When unseen forces are recognised, we can use our keys of spiritual authority to bind or limit the devil’s scheme to undermine or build a wedge in our relationships.
Another pattern we noted and recognised was the occurrence of sickness at holiday times. This can be normal, as the body keeps going until there is space and then it’s easy to pick up a cold or flu. However, noticing a persistent pattern to ‘rob us of rest’ we sensed the presence of a possible scheme against our home and began to pray for health when rest times were coming up.
A specific scheme we detected against our home occurred when we moved to a small community to start a new Christian work. It took us a while to notice how each time before a public event we had organised to meet our new community one of us would get sick, threatening the event. The first time it happened we did not recognise a scheme of the devil. As it occurred several more times (and went against our normal patterns of illness) we became alerted to the presence of the enemy. It was robbing us and had the potential to destroy our ministry in the town. We made sure we ate well and had our Vitamin C but we also began to seek God’s protection from sickness. We prayed daily for our health and God’s protection on our health. A few friends partnered us in prayer to help us as well. We used our keys of spiritual authority daily to limit or bind the enemy from using illness against our ministry God had called us to, praying in Jesus’ name. We had to persist, standing firm but we did have the victory, praise God. However, if we had remained unaware of this strategy and not proactive it could have stopped us at the beginning, or we may have given up in frustration, which was probably Satan’s intent.
Struggle against Unseen Forces
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
Paul cautions us to look beyond the immediate circumstance befalling us. He makes itclear that our struggle (even in our homes) is not primarily against the people and their presenting issues, though they need to be addressed, but against Satan and his forces that would use the situation to kill, steal and destroy (our peace, our faith, our relationships). Dealing with presenting issues AND unseen forces are both necessary for a wholesome response to the issues of life.
Paul’s description indicates that there are different types of organised evil powers, helping Satan in his opposition. Scripture speaks about this truth in Mark 9: 17-22 (possessed son), Luke 11:14 (deaf mute), and Mark 5:15 (Legion of demons). These different types of demonic forces had a deep impact on individuals.
Eph 2:2 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, and in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” Here Satan is described as a ruler of the air, at large in the domain of earth as well as “at work” in the disobedient.
He is described as prince of this world by Jesus in John 12:31 “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now is the time for the Prince of this world to be driven out.” Jesus was referring to the cross, which would seem to be Satan’s greatest triumph, though in fact proved to be his defeat. From it would flow victory in the person of Christ.
Scripture is silent on much about the organisation of Satan’s forces. The forces mentioned in Ephesians (rulers… authorities… powers and spiritual forces of evil…) Paul notes are at work in this world against God’s purposes. Some believers have the spiritual gift of discernment which alerts them to the presence of these unseen forces. However, we do not need to have this gift in order, by faith, to protect ourselves and resist these forces. General prayers will assist as we learn to recognise the hallmark of Satan’s presence: to rob, kill and destroy.
The glorious victory of the Lord Jesus at the cross saw Him triumph over the enemy. Jesus is so superior to Satan. (Eph 2:20-21) This glorious victory has given each believer authority over this unseen enemy as we put on Christ and put off the deeds of the old nature. We do need to learn to walk in the victory of Jesus, living in and using the power of Jesus available to us.
The truth is there are many issues confronting the Christian. Sin is an ever-present reality that we contend with daily as part of our and other’s human nature. It needs due regard. If our problem is a sin, we must face it and NOT blame Satan. We also live in a world that operates contrary to God’s purposes. Scripture makes it clear that our responsibility is to be different to the ways of this world. (Isaiah 55:8, 1 Cor 1:25)
As Christians we are called:
- To LOVE God and SUBMIT to Him (Matthew 22:37, James 4:7)
- To DIE to self (our selfish flesh life) remembering it has been crucified with Christ (1 Peter 2:24, Mark 8:34)
- To CONFESS and REPENT of our specific sins to God and to those we have sinned against (Acts 2:38, 1 John 1:9)
- To FORGIVE those who sin against us (Matt 18:21-22, Matt 6:12)
- To STRUGGLE AGAINST and RESIST unseen forces (James 4:7)
As we open up to the Holy Spirit He will grow us in dealing correctly with different aspects of life. He is our onboard Instructor. (John 14:26) Jesus overcame all evil forces and temptations He faced and His Spirit is well able to help us.
The Lord had His own encounter whilst fasting in the wilderness just prior to the beginning of His earthly ministry. He used the Word of God to resist the enemy during His three temptations. (Luke 4:1-12) Jesus was also alert to the temptations faced by His followers. In Peter’s case, Satan had asked permission to sift Peter like wheat. (Luke 22:31) Satan’s target was Peter’s faith and he can also target ours. Prayer was the weapon Jesus used to guard Peter. Jesus also dealt with Satan trying to stop Him fulfilling God’s will, voiced through humans e.g. Peter’s attempt to save Jesus from the cross. (Matt 16:23.) There He confronted Peter attributing his actions to the work of Satan.
Standing Firm…
“Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand…..” Ephesians 6:10,13
Paul calls us to use the full armour of God. In other words, he exhorts us to make use of all of God’s provisions to protect ourselves, which he goes on to list. We cannot focus on just one aspect of God’s power, such as being clothed in truth and truthfulness, and expect to stand fully protected.
Paul makes it clear that the day of evil will come and exhorts the believer to act by learning to appropriate God’s resources BEFORE needed. When the evil day comes then the believer will be equipped, ready to stand and counter a scheme or attack. When pressure comes, we are to stand firmly in that encounter, having the victory and seeing God’s Kingdom advance.
Paul exhorts the believer not to give up, back off or quit. There is no provision in the armour to turn and run. No piece covers our back. God covers us and we are to pray for, thus covering, each other (see v 18). That includes growing in knowing when to ask for help from other Christians.
“…and after you have done everything, to stand…” Standing is an active process. Standing firm is even more so. Again, we have a vital role to play. We have ground to defend. “..so that …you may be able to stand your ground.” It’s like standing up for truth, righteousness, peace and hope and the gospel, in our thought life, homes and what we believe. Sometimes that can be affirming that we will not give way through negative circumstances, resisting unkind or unrighteous practices but also resisting in prayer, using the Word of God to defend ourselves and ‘our ground’.
We must grow in learning to stand or we give ground (rightfully ours) to the unseen realm. This happens when we do not recognise the presence of the enemy or realise the power we have in Jesus over the enemy. Satan is a great bluffer. Though stripped by Jesus of any authority at the cross he will push to see what he can get away with. Truly in our own strength we have no power to resist Satan. However, standing clothed in the power of Jesus and using His keys of authority Satan must give way. He dreads each believer waking to their awesome authority in the provisions of God.
1 Peter 5:8 says: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”
James 4:7 clarifies it a little more, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
The image these verses paint is that we stand fitted out with the full armour, our inner gaze fixed on Jesus in worship, obedient to His will and submitted to Him. We are to draw near to Him, firm in belief, trust and faith. From that place of hidden relationship there is power to resist everything that would hinder, tempt, rob or diminish Kingdom life. At some point in our resisting, Satan will flee. To flee is to run away, as a vanquished foe!
In the verses from James the need to submit to God comes BEFORE resisting the devil. Some of us automatically blame the devil for every negative circumstance (wanting to resist the devil) PRIOR to our submitting to God in the current circumstance. From that place of communion the Lord will lead us in how to respond.
Kathryn’s own example of this occurred during one of our house moves. She shares: “I had started packing when my knee locked up and I couldn’t bend. You can’t pack if you can’t bend! I was quite upset and remember thinking, “I will need to take a stand for my knee”. However, as I thought this I experienced an inner check. I took time to pray and sensed that my sore knee was instead God’s stop sign to me. Instead of needing to contend for my knee I was in fact in need of submission to God. I’d run ahead of Him and started doing the packing in my own strength. Right response wasn’t dealing with the enemy BUT submission to God in confession and repentance. I rested, taking time with the Lord and regained a sense of balance and inner peace. A week or so later my knee healed. It was a timely reminder not to blame the enemy for a negative circumstance without first seeking God about it.”
Other times (as already shared) the Lord alerted us of the need to stand our ground when facing the pressure of untimely sickness. The difference is only discerned from drawing near to the Lord and keeping alert.
Using the Privilege of Prayer
We stand firm using the privilege of prayer. Paul mentions this in verse 18. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Paul urges us to pray as part of taking a stand.
There are two sides to prayer. Prayer starts by approaching, pressing into God, becoming intimate with Him. Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of needs.” From our position in the throne room we have permission to share any and all our concerns about those things having an impact on our lives. This includes issues at home, with the children, about our spouses and with work.
Jesus teaches on the boldness and faith we are invited to show in prayer in Luke 11:9; “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
James amplifies the role of asking in prayer when he writes to the local believers in James 4:2b “You do not have because you do not ask God.” This is a strong reminder about the need to ask God before we complain about our situation.
What current issues are you experiencing in your home? Have you spent time seeking God and bringing them before Him in prayer? We are also reminded that the Holy Spirit is our helper when it comes to prayer. If we don’t know what to pray, as Paul encourages, ask for His help. If you have the gift of tongues, use it. Some believe ‘praying in the Spirit’ may also refer to this gift.
Taking time to listen to God is the other side of prayer. As we position ourselves to hear God’s answers, expectant of His help, God whispers wisdom and perspective concerning the issues we are facing. He leads us when we need to take a stand against the enemy. It can include prompting in private prayer, in Jesus’ name asking that Satan could not use a conflict, dissension or issue to divide, destroy or build a wedge in a relationship and persisting till healing or restoration occurs.
Protected by the Name of Jesus
We stand firm knowing the power of the name of Jesus which is above all. Jesus’ name holds all His character and attributes and is very powerful. It holds power in the unseen realm because Father God has exalted Jesus to the highest place.
Phil 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
God’s call to each believer is to ever-increasing intimate relationship. We are invited to press in to God. As we do, we become more conformed to His character, knowing Him better. The pressing in will take us deeper into the presence of God. The intimate presence of the Lord is also the place where Satan cannot approach. It is the Christian’s safe place.
It is also there, in the presence of the Lord, that many forces assailing us (that we may even be unaware of) must flee. The name of the Lord and His presence is strongly protective. We are reminding the enemy that we belong to God and covered with the person and name of Christ, which is above all. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
It is interesting that Jesus also speaks about the power of His name (this time to protect) in His prayer for unity for His followers (us). “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.” John 17:11,12
Knowing the Executive Power of Jesus’ Name
We stand firm knowing the power of attorney given to us to use Jesus’ name. Being ‘in the Lord’ gives us rights to Jesus’ name. John 14:20 “On that day you will realise that I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:13 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” It’s a bit like being given an authoritative blank cheque signed by Jesus. Knowing how to use this power effectively is a growing thing.
Do you notice that the permission to use Jesus’ name in prayer in John 15:8 is conditional upon having a relationship with Him? “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask…”
The name of Jesus is the most powerful name of all. Learning to walk ‘in Jesus name’ and character, using it in prayer is part of our heritage. Mark 16:17 highlights some of this power at work: “And these signs will accompany those who believe. IN MY NAME they will …drive out demons, speak in new tongues, pick up snakes, …heal.” Jesus prepared his followers to deal with unseen evil forces using His name.
Mark 9:38-39 demonstrates this power at work. “Teacher, John said, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”” Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me.”
Followers of Jesus have been given executive powers (power of attorney) in prayer to conduct business in Jesus’ name to see His kingdom come, flowing out from His victory on the cross, in partnership with the Holy Spirit. Enforcing His victory includes power in His name to deal with unseen forces in prayer. Enforcing Jesus’ victory means conducting His business in prayer in line with God’s will, not our own desires. Much of His will has been communicated to us in God’s Word. We also grow in walking in God’s will as we open to the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit’s inner witness.
This is a powerful invitation – using Jesus’ name to partner in prayer with Him to see His kingdom come. Have you taken it up?
Binding and Loosing in the Name of Jesus
We stand firm when we know and grow in using the authority of binding and loosing delegated to us. Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 12:29 “Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strongman? Then indeed he may plunder his house.” (RSV)
Whatever issue you are facing, when it comes to prayer one facet can involve praying binding and loosing prayers in Jesus’ name limiting Satan’s intent against the home, marriage, family, relationship, to rob, kill or destroy.
As a young Christian I, Kathryn, had trouble believing I had power over unseen evil forces. It was even harder to accept I could safely and rightly use this power to defend myself. For a season in my mid 20’s I was having troubling thoughts which seemed to be coming from my mind, though I couldn’t control them. Someone had once given me a prayer using binding and loosing in the name of Jesus to deal with troubling thoughts, bringing them captive to Christ. (2 Cor 10:5) I had let it sit on the shelf, basically out of fear, until I became desperate enough to try a spiritual solution.
I tentatively began. To my surprise it worked. If I bound the thought in prayer “in the name of Jesus” it would recede and my mind became more peaceful. I was surprised how many of the shadows in my mind weren’t actually my own thoughts. I came to recognise these as “the fiery darts of the enemy” Eph 6:16. Realising I had been given power over the enemy in Jesus’ name was a breakthrough. I was learning to use my shield of faith, to quench the fiery darts of the enemy and thus protect my mind. Sometimes, God lets us get into a tight corner to challenge us to pick up the resources that He has made available to us.
Binding prayers are very helpful when it comes to praying prayers of spiritual protection around a home. They help create a barrier of protection in the unseen realm. For example “In Jesus’ name, we bind the enemy’s intent against this home this day, to rob, kill or destroy.”
The armour of God is quite specific in covering different spheres of our life – beliefs (truth), heart (breastplate), faith (shield), mind (where our thoughts are conducted), and what we stand on (gospel of peace). We are able to use keys to bind the enemy for each of these aspects of our life, as part of a daily routine. Remember, binding prayer is just ONE aspect of the whole gift of prayer that focuses on God (and which is modeled in our companion booklet). This element of our prayers acknowledges our legal right to protect our home, in partnership with the Lord. When we don’t use our keys of binding prayer we are leaving out some of Heaven’s armour for us. Satan is an opportunist and will take advantage where we give him room.
In our booklet Daily Prayers for Spiritual Protection (and in the armour prayer that follows) we provide examples of binding prayers. You will find that some name various demonic forces. In the prayers, these are called spirits. The name that follows (of fear, or condemnation or death) is a simple label (or descriptor) about the nature of the enemy’s work that we, in Jesus’ name, are limiting. This terminology (spirits of……) is simply a descriptor of Satan’s intent against us and our home. Forces that would hinder us are simply called ‘hindering spirits’. Those that would retaliate for developments in the Kingdom of God in our homes are called ‘retaliatory spirits’ and so on.
If you are not used to this type of prayer, it might stretch your faith. Hopefully, you can see how important (and relatively easy) it is to add in this kind of prayer for spiritual protection. There are forces which work intensely to undermine Christian homes. We have been given authority over these if we use the right keys. Remember, we have the victory in Jesus!
Satan is a finite being, not like our infinite, all present God. Scripture is clear that Satan relies on the help of demonic forces to carry out his opposition. Others have taught us that part of this hierarchy involves gathering information. We have learnt that unfortunately Satan can use human agents to gather information (through crystal balls, channeling and other practices). We have given names to all forces that potentially gather information against our home, binding their intent against us. For example, forces that act as eyes and ears over our home for the demonic kingdom have been called ‘watcher and listener’ spirits.
A Christian lady walking through a park in Australia came across a person praying. Thinking this may be a fellow Christian, she was startled to find out this person was in fact a witch, praying against Christian homes, specifically to see marriages end. The enemy has schemes and strategies against homes, families and relationships.
In our daily prayers, we have been taught by others to include protection from and provision against this kind of unseen and unknown cursing, or wrong kinds of praying. All this activity is contrary to God’s will for us and can create unseen spiritual manipulation and oppression over people, influencing the spiritual climate over a home or family. In our prayers we mention some of these general sources of unseen cursing and wrong prayers that may be coming against us, simply because we are Christians. These include: voodoo (tribal cursing), Satanism (occult practices), sorcery (2Chron.33:6), witchcraft (Gal. 5:20) and New Age people who channel spirits. These all-inclusive types of prayers help keep a spiritually clean environment around us. We understand that this kind of praying is part of raising a shield of protection around ourselves and home.
As shared, part of our journey also included needing to learn how to protect ourselves from illness. We’ve included some of the binding prayers that were given to us concerning protection in this area, as tools for you. This does not exclude God’s sovereignty in this area, but it does give helpful ways that acknowledge the keys of authority we have, through our abundant life in Jesus. It also teaches us not to accept the ‘status quo’, without prayer.
In our companion booklet you will find some binding prayers that address the spiritual legacy of the generations. The prayer is asking God to free us from the destructive spiritual baggage passed down the generations as well as limiting Satan’s access to these footholds. Mention is also made of soul ties. These are the unhealthy strong connections of human dependence to another, bringing bondage and control. There are general prayers for protection and release from such ties influencing us or our family.
Some prayers in our companion booklet use the term ‘cut off’ instead of binding. It is a term similar to binding. The image is of using the sword of the Spirit (the permission and power of God’s Word) to preemptively limit or remove an impediment, or spiritual force against our home. In summary, binding prayers, in the name of Jesus, act like an invisible boundary, imposing limit to the work of the unseen spiritual forces against us.
Covered by the Blood of Jesus
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:20
Satan’s power is thwarted through the blood of Jesus. The perfect sacrifice of Jesus, including the shedding of His blood, was the means by which the devil’s authority over humanity was broken and God reconciled all things to Himself. The fact that Jesus rose attests to His victory over Satan.
Each repentant sinner who accepts the power of Jesus’ shed blood is guaranteed forgiveness (and is a reminder to Satan of Jesus’ victory). As Hebrews 9:22 reminds us “… without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Jesus’ shed blood ensures forgiveness to all who approach God for pardon in His name. Jesus’ shed blood is pure and powerful to purge away all our sin.
Rom 5:9 “Since we have been justified by his blood”…. Once we accept Jesus’ sacrifice, paying our debt of sin for us, we stand before our Heavenly Father pure and clean, covered by Jesus’ blood. We stand justified – ‘just as if I’d never sinned’… Satan has lost his legal power to condemn us or claim us. Our consciences are cleansed through the power of Jesus’ blood. Applying the blood of Jesus has power to silence the accuser, protecting us from condemnation, as we stand under its power.
What’s more Leviticus 17:11 states “the life ….is in the blood”. Being covered by Jesus’ shed blood clothes us in the very power of God’s pure life – we receive His Spirit because of the power of Jesus’ blood and enjoy unbroken and growing fellowship with our Father. It’s no wonder Satan can’t stand the applied blood of Jesus.
Satan is an already conquered foe. By rights he has lost all ground against one covered by Jesus’ blood. Jesus is the victor. (Rev 5) We just need to apply Jesus’ victory won through the power of His blood, which covers sin, breaks the power of death and strips Satan of his legal hold over each believer, protecting us from his intent to destroy.
Applying the Power of Jesus’ Blood by Faith
1 John 5:4-5 “And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the son of God?” In John 16:33 Jesus says, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”.
The victory is complete in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The shedding of Jesus’ pure blood is the power through which victory is assured. Where the blood of the Lamb is sprinkled, God dwells (His Spirit comes) and Satan flees. Satan therefore has no legal ground to say anything against a believer.
However, Jesus’ victory is also progressively being worked out on earth as we allow Jesus’ blood to do its redeeming work in us. Although Satan could not stop Jesus, he now turns on His church (every believer). Where we let go of our faith or belief and are ignorant of the fullness of Jesus’ great victory for us, then we can allow Satan authority he legally no longer possesses. Where Satan sees Jesus’ blood applied he has no power. Satan however, is an opportunist, trickster and bluffs us, using lies and deception to convince us he is a more powerful foe than he is.
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.“ Eph 2:6
God has raised us up to sit in victory in the heavenly places with our Lord. However, our position and use of the benefits must be applied by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God…” Hebrews 11:6
To quote Andrew Murray: “The believer who desires to share in the victory over Satan “by the blood of the Lamb” must be a fighter. He [or she] must make the effort to understand the character of the enemy…. He must know that this battle is not “against flesh and blood…” He must devote himself in every way and at all costs, to carry on the battle until death. Only then will we be able to join in the song of victory, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” Rev 12:11 (page 147 The Power of the Blood of Christ – highly recommended reading.)
Using the Armour of God
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…” Ephesians 6:10
Standing firm against the devil’s schemes includes using the full armour of God. The image of Ephesians 6:10-18 is a soldier putting on armour ready for battle. One way we pray involves putting on this spiritual armour, as soldiers might put on their equipment in the morning. Let’s look at this armour piece by piece. A prayer for each, written by Peter, is included.
Belt of Truth
v 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist
Truth is like a belt that keeps all other garments in place. It could also be used to carry a sword and money. Truth gives you power and strength. Truth is embodied in the person of JESUS, who IS truth. Truth also concerns our thought life, what we believe and what we say. God is asking that our character, words and actions line up with His truths, revealed in His Word.
When it comes to putting this on in prayer you might pray like this. Thankyou Father that Jesus is the Way, TRUTH and Life. Please help us to discern and walk in Your Truth today in all circumstances. Protect us from errors, lies and deceptions and we bind the power of the enemy’s lies in the name of Jesus. Thank you Lord, that Your truth sets us free. Help us to live in this freedom today.
Breastplate of Righteousness
v 14 “ With the breastplate of righteousness in place…”
This piece of equipment covers the heart which is where our motives come from. The motivation for why we do things starts in our heart and our mind then reasons what we do. Therefore, we need to start with right motives that are protected from the enemy’s influence. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness protects us from things that cause us to plot evil and frees us to have good intentions. It also covers us with the blood of Jesus – we are righteous through His blood.
You might pray like this: Please help us to stand in Your righteousness today which is given to us through Jesus’ sacrifice in our place. Help us accept this ‘right standing’ we have with You, knowing we are forgiven and washed clean. Protect our hearts from evil and sinful desires and keep our heart relating with You, discerning Your will for us this day. In Jesus’ name we bind condemnation and accusation through the power and shed blood of Jesus.
Shoes of Peace
v 15 “And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
The picture is of well shod feet, ready to spring into action. We are ready to walk the path of peace laid out for us by Christ. We can step in His foot prints and take the Gospel of peace to the places it is needed.
You might pray like this: God please equip us with the Gospel of peace. Help us walk in Your peace and enabling this day. Help us to stand fast on the sure Rock of Christ and stand against the wiles of the devil at all times today. Please help us to let your peace rule in our hearts and minds today, guiding all our decisions.
Shield of Faith
v 16 “In addition to all this take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
This is a picture of our faith like a large Roman shield, covered with leather, soaked in water, ready to quench the flaming arrows of battle. The flaming arrows of our enemy, Satan, cause us pain, making us lash out and struggle to live a Christian life. Faith enables us to say no to the flaming arrow lies and deceptions that come our way in daily life. When they are snuffed out or deflected we can advance, walking in the victory Christ has won.
You might pray about the shield of faith like this: Lord, please equip us with faith and help us use our faith as a shield this day so we might be protected from the fiery darts of the devil. Protect us from over-sensitivity, shame, wounding and bruising from verbal abuse against us in Jesus’ name. Help us to have an ever-growing faith in you today.
Helmet of Salvation
v 17 “Take the helmet of salvation …”
The helmet protects the head, where we resolve our thoughts. Our head is where we rationalise. Our mind filters the thoughts of our hearts and chooses whether we act or re-act to them. We have made a decision to accept Jesus’ sacrifice, His salvation and Lordship. We are to have the mind of Christ. If the evil one can get hold of our minds, he has us. We need to have our minds protected by the sure salvation of what Christ has done for us, learning to think after His ways.
You might pray like this: Thank you Father for my salvation purchased by Jesus’ shed blood. We put on the helmet of salvation to protect our minds from evil forces this day. We pray for the clear, sound mind of Christ. In Jesus name and under His authority we bind those spirits that would try to hinder our minds: spirits of mind control, condemnation, fear, anti-Christ, rebellion, death and hell, oppression and negativity. Grant us Your wisdom and discernment. Help our minds so we might think according to Your ways and promises.
Sword of the Spirit
v 17 “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The picture is of God’s Living Word as a weapon. The Spirit interprets the Living Word, breathing life into it and makes it into an offensive weapon. We need to know Scripture for the Sword to be sharp. We must to be ready to listen to the Holy Spirit in order to use it well. It is the right application of Scripture that gives us the victory in life. Jesus used Scripture to thwart the schemes of the devil during His time in the wilderness.
You might pray like this: Please help us remember and apply your precious Scriptures this day. By the power of Your Word help us to resist the devil and all his pressures, attacks, deceptions, every instrument or agent he would use against us and our home and family.
Prayer
v 18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints”.
The privilege of prayer is one of the greatest gifts God has given to those who call on His name. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16. It is worth noting that it is included by Paul here in Ephesians as a valuable part of each Christian’s armour. Our mighty God answers faith filled, honest prayer including those asking for spiritual protection for ourselves and others.
Points to Ponder
How well prepared are you to take your stand against the schemes of the devil?
Are you using the armour of God: His resources of truth, security in right standing with God, faith and salvation?
Is there one piece of armour in particular you are missing?
Take a moment in the quiet now to hear God’s Word for you.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your great provisions for our spiritual protection. Forgive us where we have neglected these. Help us to take up the resources you have provided and show us how to use these resources wisely. Please teach us what we need to know about taking a stand to protect ourselves and our home from the devil’s schemes. Show us any practices that need adjusting and grant the power and courage to make change. Help us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit who will teach and instruct us in these things day by day. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Daily Armour Prayer
Heavenly Father, we praise you for a new day and that we have new life in Christ Jesus. Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that you are the Way, the TRUTH and the Life. Please help us to discern and walk in your Truth today in all circumstances. Protect us from errors, lies and deceptions and we bind the power of the enemy’s lies now in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord, that Your truth sets us free. Help us to live in this freedom today.
Please help us to stand in Your righteousness today which is given to us through Jesus’ sacrifice in our place. Help us accept this ‘right standing’ we have with You, knowing we are forgiven and washed clean. Protect our hearts from evil and sinful desires and keep our heart relating with You, discerning Your will for us this day. In Jesus’ name we bind condemnation and accusation through the power of the shed blood of Jesus.
Lord God please help us walk in Your peace and enabling this day, standing on the sure Rock of Christ. Enable us to stand fast against the wiles of the devil at all times this day. Please help us to let your peace rule in our hearts and minds today, guiding all our decisions through this day.
Lord, please equip us with faith and help us use our faith as a shield this day so we might be protected from the fiery darts of the devil. Protect us from over-sensitivity, shame, wounding and bruising from verbal abuse against us in Jesus’ name. Help us to have an ever-growing faith in you today.
Thank you Lord Jesus for your salvation purchased by Christ’s shed blood. We put on the helmet of salvation to protect our minds from the evil forces that will come against us this day. We ask for the clear, sound mind of Christ to fill our minds. In Jesus name and under His authority we bind those spirits that would try to hinder our minds: spirits of mind control, condemnation, fear, anti-Christ, rebellion, death and hell, oppression and negativity. Grant us Your wisdom and discernment. Keep our minds firm in trusting Your ways and promises.
Please help us remember and apply your precious Scriptures this day and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name help us to resist the devil and all his pressures, attacks, deceptions, every instrument or agent he would use against us and our home and family. Help us to love and serve You this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
We invite you to look at and use our companion booklet: Spiritual Protection Daily Prayers for more written daily prayers.
Why Daily??
Most of us clean our teeth every day. We clothe ourselves every day. We eat every day. We don’t wait till we get a cavity till we start brushing our teeth. We don’t wait till we are cold or exposed to the sun before we dress. We don’t wait till we are starving before we eat or wait till we are totally dehydrated before we take in fluid. Why should it be that we wait till we are spiritually attacked by Satan before we start protecting ourselves?
Brushing our teeth once every month or so doesn’t help prevent cavities. We need to brush daily. Putting clothes on every few days doesn’t keep us warm or protect us from the sun. It’s the daily habit that helps us. It’s the same with eating and drinking. Similarly, praying occasionally about spiritual protection isn’t going to give us daily help.
Sometimes in life we need to do mundane things to guard our health and well-being. Reading a prayer everyday can seem like this. But our experience is that it is very much like cleaning your teeth, putting your clothes on or keeping hydrated. Doing it just helps to stop the ‘rot’ by asking for God’s protection over us and our home. It keeps us filled with ‘living water’ and protected from ‘elements of evil.’ Missing a day here and there does matter as the ‘rot’ does subtly get in, just like we dehydrate easily and burn or freeze when exposed.
Jesus warned His disciples saying “Whenever you eat remember Me.” We forget who we are in Christ very quickly. Praying a prayer of protection daily reminds us and protects us, as well as arms us for the day or the next day, if you choose to pray in the evening.
In our companion booklet we provide a variety of written prayers for daily spiritual protection. This is much like different brands of toothpaste, different clothes or different flavours of liquid, that help make the mundane a little more interesting. Perhaps you will find a special ‘breath-freshening strip’ or a ‘ring of confidence’ in one of the prayers. Or it might be like clothes that fit, or a refreshing taste in particular prayers. Perhaps they will inspire you to write your own version, creating your own flavours.
THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOU PRAY DAILY TO STOP ‘THE ROT.’