During the month of August, a number from the congregation met on Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings for a time of prayer asking God’s blessing to make us disciple -making disciples.  At our last prayer session, we read and prayed over Ephesians 6:10-18, commonly referred to as the Armour of God passage (truth, righteousness, readiness, peace, salvation, and God’s Word).  This passage is very poetic, but at the same time very sobering as it bears a warning that Satan and the forces of darkness abound.

v10:  “Put on the full armour of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

v12: “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against ... the power of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil.”

During the years AD52-55, Ephesus was ground zero for the apostle Paul’s disciple-making efforts.  In writing to the Corinthian church from his base in Ephesus, he declared that “a great and effective door has opened” (1 Cor 16:9).  Earlier in the same letter (15:3) he claims to have “fought with wild beasts in Ephesus”, a likely reference to the adversity and powers of darkness that he battled while there.  The result of his efforts was documented by Luke when he wrote Acts 19:10 “All who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks”.

Work on building up your faith.  Seek to understand the truth given to you in the Bible.  Recognize that a spiritual battle rages today and be prepared for the battle!  Satan is at the ready to exploit every weakness.  Remember God’s promise in I Cor 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are

tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  Continually remember the safe haven of protection God promises us.

Psalm 107:28-31

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”