Heavenly Father, 

Last week as we studied the Armor of God, we saw that Ephesians 6:10-20 was written to the corporate church, not just individual Christians. This morning we want to pray for each piece of the armor you’ve given us as a church family. 

We know you are with your people as our Savior, and for that reason we are able to stand firm! Give us grace to do so well. At Cross of Grace, we prayerfully put on the Belt of Truth. Let your Truth rule in our hearts and be in our minds and on our lips today. Help us to recognize your Truth against the deceitfulness of the enemy. For those struggling with unbelief and doubts, help them experience the Truth of who you are. You are good, sovereign, gracious, faithful, and powerful. May your Truth bring us comfort and confidence. 

We prayerfully put on the Breastplate of Righteousness. Apart from you, there is no righteousness, but through Christ, we are born again and made righteous in your sight. Because of the Cross, we are new creations in Christ. Protect our wandering hearts by remembering what Christ has done for us, and who we are in light of that. 

We pray our feet would be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Whatever life throws at us, let your peace be at the forefront of our minds and hearts. May we be freshly affected by this peace today in new ways. Whether we are in a trial, or experiencing grief, we ask that you comfort and build up your church with peace. We know how engaged you are to give us your peace when we look to the Cross. It has always been your plan since the beginning of time to give us peace. We ask that you give us your peace in a new way that draws us closer to you Lord. 

We prayerfully put on the Shield of Faith. Help us to put our faith in you as our refuge, strength, and fortress. You are a promise-keeping God, increase our faith in you and shield us from lies, doubts, and unbelief. With you as our shield, you will quench the fiery darts that come our way. 

We prayerfully put on the Helmet of Salvation. We pray for those here who may be thinking, “God doesn’t care about me, God doesn’t want me, or God is done with my mess.” Let them be reminded that in Christ, nothing can separate us from your love. By your grace, help us say no to worldly passions and to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life. Let our lives be propelled by the good news of salvation in Christ. Let our response be worship and obedience.

In the midst of temptation, let the Sword of the Spirit be the weapon we use to fend off the enemy. Let the Word of God transform and replace the lies, wounds, and habits that have gripped our hearts. Increase our love for you, increase our hatred for our sin. Pour out your grace on us. Give us a desire to know your word more fully. Fill us and empower us with your Spirit to remember and cling to the Word that gives us life. By your grace, help us to find our satisfaction in You alone. 

Lastly, Lord help us to be Christ followers who are marked by Prayer. Let our confidence come from continual communication with you. Let us be Christians who pray for one another and help one another stand firm in you. Let us be Christians who pray for the city of El Paso and for those around us who do not know Christ. Let us be Christians who pray for our nation and our world. May your name be glorified throughout all the earth!