What is the prayer to put on the armor of god? essential guide—5 steps
what is the prayer to put on the armor of god
If you have ever asked yourself what is the prayer to put on the armor of god, you are in good company. Many Christians use a daily “armour of God prayer” drawn from Ephesians 6:10–18 to ask for strength, protection, and spiritual clarity. In simple terms, it is a way of praying Scripture over your life, piece by piece, so that you live your day with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God at the forefront of your mind and actions.
This guide explains what what is the prayer to put on the armor of god means, why it matters, and how you can pray it with confidence. You will find a full prayer you can use, shorter versions for busy mornings, practical tips, common mistakes to avoid, and trustworthy resources for further reading.
What what is the prayer to put on the armor of god really means
When people ask what is the prayer to put on the armor of god, they usually mean a biblically grounded prayer that follows Ephesians 6:10–18. In that passage, the Apostle Paul describes the Christian life as a struggle not merely against people or circumstances but against spiritual forces of evil. The “armour of God” is his memorable picture of the graces and disciplines God provides so believers can “stand firm”.
Praying the armour of God is not superstition or a mystical formula. It is a practical, scriptural way to rehearse the gospel and prepare your heart for real life. Each piece of armour symbolises a dimension of Christian living:
- Belt of truth: honesty, integrity, and alignment with God’s revealed truth.
- Breastplate of righteousness: the gift of Christ’s righteousness and a commitment to right living.
- Gospel shoes of peace: readiness to live and share the good news with a peaceable spirit.
- Shield of faith: trust in God that extinguishes the “flaming arrows” of doubt, fear, or accusation.
- Helmet of salvation: confidence that you belong to God and are being saved, now and eternally.
- Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God): Scripture used wisely and humbly in thought, prayer, and action.
So, what is the prayer to put on the armor of god? It is a daily habit of standing in these truths, out loud or silently, asking the Holy Spirit to apply them to your heart. Many find this particularly helpful in the morning or before facing challenging situations.
The biblical basis for the armour of God prayer
The classic source is Ephesians 6:10–18. For easy reading, you can consult a modern translation online. Try the NIV UK text here: Ephesians 6:10–18 at Bible Gateway (NIV UK). For a visual explanation of Paul’s imagery and the flow of the letter to the Ephesians, BibleProject’s video on the armour of God is clear and engaging. For a concise doctrinal overview, this article is accessible: What is the full armour of God? at GotQuestions.
Knowing the passage helps you pray it thoughtfully rather than by rote. If you prefer the King James Version, the language is in the public domain and can be helpful for memorisation; if you use a modern version, you can still paraphrase in your own words while keeping the meaning.
How to pray: a step-by-step guide to what is the prayer to put on the armor of god
Below is a simple way to structure what is the prayer to put on the armor of god. Adapt it freely. The heart of the prayer is Scripture hidden in your heart and spoken back to God.
- Begin by focusing on God.
- Take a slow breath. Remember you are in God’s presence. Thank God for His love and mercy.
- Say a simple opening line like, “Lord, I come to you in Jesus’ name.”
- Affirm the truth of Ephesians 6: the battle and God’s strength.
- “Father, I receive Your strength for today. Help me stand firm in Your power.”
- Put on each piece of the armour.
- Belt of truth: “Fasten my life with Your truth. Keep me honest with You, myself, and others.”
- Breastplate of righteousness: “Clothe me with Christ’s righteousness; guide me to do what is right.”
- Gospel shoes of peace: “Make me ready with the gospel of peace; let me bring calm and hope.”
- Shield of faith: “Strengthen my faith to extinguish every arrow of fear, doubt, or accusation.”
- Helmet of salvation: “Guard my mind with the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternity.”
- Sword of the Spirit: “Fill my mouth and mind with Your Word; teach me to use it with wisdom and love.”
- Pray “in the Spirit” for the day ahead.
- “Lead me today, Lord. Help me to pray for others and to be alert to Your promptings.”
- Close with trust.
- “Thank You for hearing me. I stand in Your strength, not my own.”
That is the essence of what is the prayer to put on the armor of god. You can pray it in minutes, or linger over each part as time allows.
A full example of what is the prayer to put on the armor of god
Use this as a template and personalise it. Feel free to print it or save it on your phone.
“Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge that my struggle is not just against what I can see, but also against spiritual forces I cannot see. I receive Your strength today.
I fasten the belt of truth. Let Your truth hold my life together; keep deceit far from my lips and my heart steady in what is real and right. I put on the breastplate of righteousness. Thank You for the righteousness of Christ that covers me; help me to live in a way that reflects Your goodness.
I fit my feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Wherever I go, let me carry peace, gentleness, and the message of hope in Christ. I take up the shield of faith. By Your grace, I trust You—quench every flaming arrow of fear, accusation, temptation, and discouragement.
I place on my head the helmet of salvation. Guard my thoughts with the assurance that I belong to You and that You are saving me day by day. I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Bring Scripture to my remembrance; teach me to speak and act according to Your Word.
And I pray in the Spirit for all the needs of today. Make me alert, compassionate, and steadfast in prayer for my family, church, colleagues, and neighbours. Lead me by Your Spirit. Thank You, Father, for equipping me with Your armour. I stand in Your strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
A 60‑second version of what is the prayer to put on the armor of god
“Lord, I stand in Your strength today. I fasten truth, wear righteousness, walk in gospel peace, lift the shield of faith, guard my mind with salvation, and take up Your Word by Your Spirit. Keep me alert and prayerful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
A family or small‑group version
Pray responsively, with one person reading each line and others replying “We receive” or “Amen”. This helps children and new believers learn the imagery and meaning in a warm, community setting.
Why this prayer matters in everyday life
Asking what is the prayer to put on the armor of god is not just about a formula; it is about a mindset. The imagery helps you rehearse the gospel when you are anxious, discouraged, or tempted. You are not helpless in the face of workplace pressure, family tension, news headlines, or private struggles. You can choose to stand in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word—concretely, today.
Over time, this prayer forms habits: you become more honest (truth), more consistent (righteousness), more peaceable (gospel readiness), more resilient (faith), more secure (salvation), and more Scripture‑shaped (the Word). These qualities are protective. They also make you a blessing to others.
Common mistakes when practising what is the prayer to put on the armor of god
- Treating it as a charm. The power is not in the wording; it is in the God you are addressing and the truth you are embracing.
- Forgetting the “together” aspect. Ephesians is addressed to a church. Pray for others as well as for yourself.
- Rushing without reflection. Even on a busy day, pause to mean what you say. A slow breath can make a difference.
- Neglecting Scripture. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Consider memorising a short verse for each piece.
- Ignoring integrity. Praying for righteousness while wilfully clinging to sin creates inner conflict. Confession brings freedom.
When and where to use what is the prayer to put on the armor of god
There is no rigid schedule. Many pray it in the morning, before work, on a commute, or during a quiet moment after breakfast. Others use it before a difficult meeting, pastoral visit, or an exam. If you struggle with sleep, it can be a helpful way to reset your thoughts before bed. The key is consistency: the more you practise what is the prayer to put on the armor of god, the more natural it becomes.
Scripture verses to pair with each piece of armour
- Truth: John 14:6; Psalm 25:5
- Righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21; Psalm 119:40
- Gospel peace: Romans 5:1; Isaiah 52:7
- Faith: Hebrews 11:1; Psalm 56:3–4
- Salvation: Romans 8:38–39; 1 Thessalonians 5:8
- Word of God: Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 4:1–11
If you enjoy praying other structured devotions, you might also appreciate the gentle rhythm of the Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer explained, which many believers find helpful for slowing down and refocusing on Christ’s mercy.
Adapting the prayer for different seasons of life
- For anxiety: emphasise peace and faith. Speak slowly; include a breathing exercise as you pray the “shield of faith”.
- For decision‑making: linger on truth and the Word. Ask the Spirit to bring relevant Scriptures to mind.
- For family life: pray it together at the dinner table, letting each person take one piece of armour.
- For service or mission: focus on the “gospel of peace” and ask for boldness and compassion in conversation.
On days when you feel weak or isolated, short promises can help. For example, Zephaniah 3:17 reminds us that God is near, mighty to save, and rejoices over His people with singing. To meditate on this theme, see Zephaniah 3:17 and the God who delights.
Making it a habit: practical tips
- Link it to an existing routine (morning tea, commute, or a daily walk).
- Keep a printed card in your Bible or a note on your phone’s home screen.
- Record yourself reading the prayer and play it back while you get ready.
- Memorise one short line for each piece so you can pray it anywhere.
- Pair it with a daily Bible reading plan to feed the “sword of the Spirit”.
Further reading and trustworthy teaching
To deepen your understanding beyond a simple outline of what is the prayer to put on the armor of god, consider exploring reliable commentaries and teaching. For a quick comparison of translations and cross‑references, Bible Hub on Ephesians 6:11 offers linguistic notes and links to related passages. If you prefer a more visual approach, the BibleProject video linked above is excellent for seeing the whole of Ephesians in context.
Recommended external resources
- Read Ephesians 6:10–18 (NIV UK) at Bible Gateway
- Understand the armour of God with BibleProject
- What is the full armour of God? at GotQuestions
- Verse tools and commentary at Bible Hub
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Frequently asked questions about what is the prayer to put on the armor of god
Is there an official, word‑for‑word version of the armour of God prayer?
No single “official” wording exists. The biblical basis is Ephesians 6:10–18, and many Christians craft their own wording from the passage. The examples above show how to keep the meaning intact while using natural language.
Can I pray it silently, or should I speak it out loud?
Either is fine. Some people find speaking out loud improves focus and helps them remember truth throughout the day. In shared settings (family or church), a spoken or responsive version can be especially encouraging.
How long should it take to pray?
It can be as quick as one minute or as reflective as ten. The point is intentionality, not length. The 60‑second version is useful when time is tight, while the fuller example suits a quiet morning or evening.
Do I need to pray it every day?
You do not have to, but many find daily repetition builds resilience and clarity. If every day feels heavy, try three or four times a week and see how it shapes your outlook.
Is this prayer only for personal use, or can we use it in church?
It works well both privately and corporately. Small groups often pray it responsively. Churches sometimes include a version in services when teaching through Ephesians or emphasising spiritual formation.
Can new Christians or children use it?
Absolutely. The imagery is simple enough for children when explained step by step. New believers benefit from learning the core truths it reinforces—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word.
Conclusion on what is the prayer to put on the armor of god
In short, if you are wondering what is the prayer to put on the armor of god, it is a practical, Scripture‑shaped way to start your day strong in the Lord. Rooted in Ephesians 6:10–18, it helps you “put on” truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word as you face real‑world pressures with a steady heart.
You do not need a perfect formula—only a clear grasp of the passage and a sincere desire to stand in God’s strength. Whether you use the full example, the 60‑second version, or your own simple words, practising what is the prayer to put on the armor of god will gently reshape your outlook and responses.
Make it part of a sustainable rhythm. Link it to your daily routines, pray for others as well as yourself, and keep a verse or two ready for each piece of armour. Over time, you will notice greater honesty, peace, resilience, and hope—signs that the gospel is not only believed but lived, one prayer at a time.
