“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor 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 6:11-13, NIV
Dear Praying Friends,
When addressing the pervasive evils of racism and injustice, so often we are tempted to see through the lens of this world, wrongly thinking our struggle is against certain people, leaders or institutions. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that our struggle is against rulers and authorities in the unseen realm. In response to this truth, he admonishes us to put on the full armor of God and after having done everything to stand.
In this passage, the word “to stand” in the Greek means to endure and to persevere to a high degree. God is calling us to endure with one another – to live out the long-suffering perseverance He has shown us. As Christ-followers, let us take up the charge to stand together against our common enemies. Let us stand against the enemies of hate, division, bitterness, and unforgiveness, being ministers of reconciliation to a desperate and divided world.
This month, our featured artist, Johari Mitchell, wrote a beautiful song called “Divided No More.” Read the lyrics here.
Let’s pray together for the Church of Ohio to stand together against injustice and racism. Pray against hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness. Pray for humility, grace and patience with each other as we seek to advance the gospel together in our state as one Church!
As you pray for this topic this month, click here for our PDF prayer guide.
