“Finally be strong in the Lord.” Oh Father, strengthen me and I shall be strong. Fill me and I shall be whole. Remove from me all that hinders my walk with you.

“Put on the full armor of God . . .” Lord, the battle is yours. Clothe me for it. I am your handmaiden.

“. . . so that you may be able to stand against the devil’s schemes.” Show me where I must stand. Let me not be deceived or disheartened by anything the devil tries. Thank you that you do not deceive or trick.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood . . .” Keep me in reality Lord, let me be always conscious that it is not any human against whom I stand, “but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world” who try to work through humans, who do not want to give any of us up.

“And against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Here again my Father, I plead with You to hide me in You! You are perfect, but I am carnal, sold to sin except for your grace which has bought me back.

“Therefore” – because this is not something I can do alone and unarmed – “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes . . .” Okay Lord, you inspired the word WHEN not IF. Hide me so deeply within this armor that no power of heaven, earth, or hell may drag me out or away from You no matter what happens “. . . you may be able to stand your ground.” What ground is that Lord, if not the ground that you have given me?

“And after you have done everything, to stand.” Again, Jesus, I remind you of Your word. You would not ask this of me unless you intend to give me all it takes to fulfill it, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Therefore, my Master, work in me to do the “everything,” and in me to “stand.”

“Stand firm then, with the belt of TRUTH buckled around your waist,” O my Armorer! Just as I imagine buckling on a belt, wrap the “belt of truth” so firmly and snugly that there is no way I can climb out of it, slip out of it, jump out of it, or in any way get out of it or lose it. Center me so firmly in the truth that the mists of illusion and darkness will disappear, and I will see true reality.

“And the breastplate of righteousness in place,” Without You Lord, I am nothing. Cover me with Your Righteousness for mine is only filthy rags. Make your righteous covering permanent.

“And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” O my Father! Shoe me. Fit the gospel of peace so well to my feet that walking in it will be what I do by nature – Your nature in me.

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” I take this shield, Father, in the strength you five me, by Your power working in me.

“Take the helmet of salvation.” O Father, you have given me salvation, for you have called me and I have responded. Fit the helmet so securely that no one in heaven, earth, or hell can knock it off.

“And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Again Lord you ask of me something I cannot do by myself – therefore I run to You. Fit the sword of the Spirit to my hands. Fill me with Your word. And train me to use my sword. If I were not to come close to evil in combat You would have given me some other, long range, weapon. As it is, I pray You for courage and strength. Let me not shrink back from where You send me to fight. And be my Companion there. Do not send me anywhere you won’t be.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Father, give me Your Spirit! Bring this to pass in me. Holy Spirit, do with me according to your will.

“With all this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Bring to my mind the ones I am to pray for and, Father, provide for the needs of each.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.” Lord, I pray for all your ambassadors, and for myself, that every time I open my mouth You will give me the words I need to fearlessly make known the mysteries of the gospel.

“Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” I do so pray my Lord. Let it be to me according to Your word.

(The Scripture passage quoted in this meditation is found in Ephesians Chapter 6. ESV Translation. Philippians 2:13 also quoted)