Thursday 29 October 2026 - Armour of God

Thursday 29 October 2026
Today is Thursday the 29th of October, in the 30th week of Ordinary Time.

We rely on many things in our lives. On other people; on our wealth or our possessions; on our power, or reputation, or status; on our own ingenuity and talents. But as you enter into prayer now, can you put all those things aside for a moment, and place all your trust in God, your light, your hope, your salvation?

'The Lord is my light, my hope, my salvation. In him I trust.' This piece by Margaret Rizza helps us reflect on our trust in God.

The Lord is my light, my hope, my salvation
In Him I trust

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long
To live in His house all the days of my life
To savour the sweetness of the Lord
To behold His temple, for this I long

The Lord is my light, my hope, my salvation
In Him I trust
Today’s reading is from Saint Paul's Letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
As the nights in the Northern Hemisphere draw in and the physical darkness reflects the darkness of our troubled world, we remember that spiritual darkness also exists.

In today’s reading St. Paul encourages us to stand firm in our faith and to be strong in the power of God’s might, and likens our spiritual practice to a suit of armour that gives us protection. Using Paul’s list of armour pieces, reflect on how each piece helps to sustain you. Listen to each one:

Gird your waist with truth

Put on the breastplate of righteousness

Put on shoes for your feet with the Gospel of peace

Take up the shield of faith

Put on the helmet of salvation

Take up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

As you listen to the reading again, notice the boldness and urgency in Paul’s letter, writing as an ambassador in prison chains, who understands the powers and principalities of the spiritual world.
Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

As the nights in the Northern Hemisphere draw in and the physical darkness reflects the darkness of our troubled world, we remember that spiritual darkness also exists.
‘Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ Speak with the Lord about what it is you most need to help you to keep standing in your faith, asking for help where you feel most powerless. Ask God to shine light into the places where you most experience darkness.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be
World without end
Amen