Day 4 // Health and Protection

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For 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. 13Therefore 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. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:10-16).

Reflections

Any time a person or team declares they are starting a church, they are walking onto the front lines of a very real battle. Church planters are under nonstop attacks from the enemy. Jesus said about himself, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (Matthew 26:31). This is true of a local flock as well.

We all have heard stories of or even personally known someone taken down and out of ministry by the enemy. These should cause us to pause and reflect on the spiritual battle waging all around us and within our churches. Satan uses every opportunity, good and bad, to weaken the people who are God’s messengers.

Challenge

Find a church planter and pray over him and his family. Ask God to protect his health and to knock down the flaming arrows of the evil one before they hit the target. Prayer is our wartime walkie-talkie to God, and it is time we call in reinforcements to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters fighting on the front lines.

Prayer

Dear Lord, distraction, discouragement and depression are the enemy’s tools to sidetrack your workers. We ask that you supernaturally intervene in the lives of our church planters. Bring healing where needed. Allow them to stand firm on the front lines and tirelessly push God’s kingdom forward. Grant them rest when needed and surround them with an army of encouragers. Provide financially exactly what is needed, and may we together celebrate the life changes that take place because of these new works.