Romans 6:10-11

I trust that I am right where I need to be. I believe we face pain and trials in order for God to develop us, to strengthen us, and to make us appreciative of His blessings.

Around this time last year, I began struggling with pretty bad anxiety and panic attacks. Honestly, it made me feel handicapped and helpless. I was scared to do anything/go anywhere by myself, I had trouble driving by myself,  and I became extremely dependent on people, especially my mom. Coincidentally, this all started happening about the same time I started getting back involved with church and really trying to strengthen my relationship the Lord. I began to realize that this was satan gaining a foothold in my life. I knew this was going to be a spiritual warfare for me. I DID NOT want the enemy to have that power over me. It definitely taught me to rely on God for literally everything...the littlest everyday things that we usually don't even think about. I wasn't always successful in fully trusting Him...sometimes I would let myself get so trapped and caught up in certain emotions and fears. But God is faithful and He stayed with me in the valley and has brought me back out. And He has given me the strongest support system and best friends I could ever ask for. These true, covenant relationships are definitely heaven sent and I couldn't brag enough on how wonderful these friends are!

This prayer was sent to me in an email today, about putting on the Armor of God.  I think it's definitely a good thing to print out and put somewhere to see every morning and pray!

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Romans 6:10-11

You are such a kind Father. You do not send children to the front lines to be annihilated by an enemy who is too strong for any child. You've given me everything I need to be victorious over any tactic, scheme, strategy, or plan of the enemy. While he may be cunning and know me well, (for he knows where and when to strike), Your weapons are mighty and promise a way of escape. At the end of the day, I will stand on my feet like David, assessing Goliath, who lay in defeat though he came fully armed except for a stone-sized piece of exposed forehead. I anticipate victory today because my weaponry is fashioned by You.

So, make me a soldier. If I have been defeated, it's because I did not anticipate the battle, did not make use of Your armor, and did not prepare ahead of time to fight. Today, I put on the pieces of armor You have provided for me. It is the armor of Light. It is me, putting on You, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I put on the helmet of salvation. Protect my thoughts. Bind my mind to Yours. Conform all my thoughts to Your thoughts.

I put on the breastplate of righteousness. Protect my heart, my most vital organ. Conform my desires to Your desires. I long to love what You love and hate what You hate today.

I put on the belt of truth. No matter what comes at me, I make a vow to stand in Truth. Expose deception quickly so that I can plant my feet in the foundation of what is safe and secure, Your very Words.

I put on the shoes of peace. The terrain of my life can be slippery and hard to maneuver. I often don't know how to be a righteous peacemaker. Don't let me love peace more than truth, Lord. Show me today when peace is needed and when truth is more important than peace.

I take up the shield of faith. I am adjusting my mindset to believe You today even when it seems ludicrous. I believe You even though You may look guilty. No matter what, no matter whom, I choose to believe You; I'll believe who You say I am, who You say You are, and how life works in the kingdom.

I take up the sword of the Spirit. Oh God, make me a marksman with the Word. I anticipate, now, the areas where I will be tempted today. Give me two scriptures that target my temptations. I am writing them out, Lord, and will have them ready for that hour. When your enemy comes and the compulsion to sin is in front of my face, I will open my mouth and read Your Words out loud - and will do this until the enemy flees. I know he will persevere, increase the effort, but I will take up the sword and have Your Word on my tongue each time he assaults. Arm me with Your strategic arrows on my tongue. Let me sense, even hear, the snarl of a defeated foe as he retreats. Give me victory where I've had none.

I repent now of any sin that would separate us today and dull my spiritual senses. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Deliver me of all lingering effects of evil. Send me, Your holy child, into battle ready and alert.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, I pray these things. In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, I stand. Amen