*“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes”* ( Ephesians 6:10-11)

The Apostle Paul once noted to his mentee Timothy, *“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer”* ( 2 Timothy 2:4). One thing he knew was that the Christian life was as much a battle and just as soldiers who are engaged in war have to be constantly on guard, so would he advise same for followers of Christ. Elsewhere he pointed to Believers, *“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 realm”* ( Ephesians 6:12).

To be a Believer in Christ is to know you are ever at war against principalities that have been released by Lucifer to fight the kingdom of God on earth. From Moses to Joshua, down through the ages, the people of God have always been at war against the enemies dark schemes.

So Believers can’t afford to relax but stand firm like a good soldier, remembering to *“pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests”* ( vv 18).

*Prayer today:* Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, knowing how soldiers fight to win a battle, I pray I too may exercise the discipline to stay focused on you and be diligent in prayer, that I may overcome all the enemy’s dark schemes on my life, for victory in you, this I pray in Jesus’ name.