Just a note, I’m out of town this week preaching an (unexpected) Camp Meeting in Vancleave, MS.  Inside baseball, I write these Rooted a day ahead, and I don’t know what my internet will be down there. So, this may be our last Rooted this week; I’ll know more later today.  If so, we’ll pick up with something new next week; this is our last of the armor of God.  Let’s look one more time at Ephesians 6: 10-20:  

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; 11 put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, 12 for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness 15 and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Today we finish up with the Armor of God with a final piece that isn’t really a piece. But it should be.  We look at what may be among the most important parts – prayer.  Prayer is what ties everything all together because it is with prayer that we have direct access to what (or who) is the real power for Spiritual warfare – God. 

One of the takeaways that we need to have with this is the armor of God is not about our strength or us getting better/stronger; it is about tapping into God’s power and God’s strength.  The armor of God doesn’t make us superheroes.  Always remember, always remember, God is the hero. 

God is the hero.  

Not me, not you. God. 

The armor of God gives us His power, His strength, His might, to fight against evil and temptation.  So, when we are in a moment of temptation, when we are in a moment where were are weak, or in need, or afraid, or spiritually vulnerable, our first and most important task is going to be to pray. 

Because when we pray, we have full access to God, His power, His goodness, His all in all. 

When face evil in the world, or even in ourselves, our first and best tool and weapon against the darkness is prayer.  When we pray, we find more strength at our disposal than we could have ever dreamed. 

When we pray, we find God’s power. So, when you face darkness, turn first to prayer.  That is always our best defense.  

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