14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

1 O LORD, oppose those who oppose me.

Fight those who fight against me.

2 Put on your armor, and take up your shield.

Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.

3 Lift up your spear and javelin

against those who pursue me.

Let me hear you say,

“I will give you victory!”

4 Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;

turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me.

5 Blow them away like chaff in the wind—

a wind sent by the angel of the LORD.

6 Make their path dark and slippery,

with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7 I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.

I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.

8 So let sudden ruin come upon them!

Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!

Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.