Monday Morning Manna: Pray on the Armor or Refrain from Removing It?

I have a question for those who speak of “praying on the armor every morning.” Why did you take it off the night before? I know. You say you can’t sleep with all that armor on. The Roman soldiers did, especially when they thought the enemy was near. The analogy to spiritual warfare and the “armor of God” is in Ephesians 6:10-20, and it is a reference to the Roman soldiers being ready to protect themselves from the enemy. In all probability Paul was in prison when he wrote Ephesians, and thus was quite familiar with the Roman soldiers and their armor. While not so described in scripture, Satan is identified by John Milton in “Paradise Lost” as the “Prince of Darkness” and so he is – one who often works in the shadows and attacks in the dark of night. Why was Isaiah so concerned that there be a watchman on the wall during the night watch (Isaiah 21:11), unless he feared a darkness attack by the enemy? Satan may well attack you in the night when you are armor-less. Let me be clear – I have no problem “praying on the armor of God.” My problem comes with removing it. So don’t “pray on your armor” each morning, rather refrain from removing it, and affirm its presence daily.

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook www.facebook.com/dan.crawford.