Ephesians 6:10-17  Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Where fore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.  Stand therefore ,having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, where with ye be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word 0f God.

Years ago, someone contacted me distraught and worried about a member of their family. She asked me to pray for them so I did immediately. It was late at night so after praying I went to bed.  I had a dream that someone knocked at my door and I went to open the door.  Standing there was a multitude of people from many walks of life. People from different countries, and from different generations. Some were dressed nice, and others not so nice.

There were children in this long line that reached to the end of my road.  They were all pushing, and fighting, and cursing to get into my home.  I could tell some were mentally ill, drunk, and on drugs, and it was quite apparent they lived in great debauchery and sin.  I didn't even get to greet them or ask them any questions.  They were pushing their way in carrying suit cases and bags, and could tell they were planning on a long stay. Even though I tried to block them and stop them from pushing there way in, they kept coming.  I would throw them out of one opening, and they would still find another one to get in.  This went on for a while, and I remember being so tired and worn out from the struggle trying to get these disgusting people out of my house.

Ezekiel 22: 29-30 The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery and have vexed the poor and needy; yea they have vexed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land that I should not destroy it; but i found none.

I awoke from my dream, talking to the Lord and asking Him what this dream was all about, and where did all these people come from.  Why I was under such an attack?  And He answered and said to me, "When you go outside and it is raining, do you get your umbrella"?  And I said yes.  He then said, "This is your protection from the elements in the earth below, in the natural realm".  Why did you come into the spiritual realm and not put on your armor first?  This is your protection in the spiritual realm.  You must always do this daily.  Even as you daily get dressed and put on your clothes, you must daily put on My armor to protect yourself in the spiritual realm.

1 Timothy 2:1-I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. 

When praying for someone, you are standing in the gap. The area between Me and them.  And this is where your enemy attacks with all his fiery darts and engages battle.  The attack was meant for the woman you were praying for.  But since you stood in the gap by agreeing to pray for your friend, you engaged in battle but did not have on the Armor of God.  You were not clothed right for this assignment. 

This is why you awoke feeling so tired and you hurt and ached all over.  You engaged in a spiritual battle uncovered and unprotected.  This attack came into your house as in your dream, and his intention was to come to kill, to steal, and to destroy.  Well I repented and put on the Whole Armor of God, and since then I have never forgotten to do this step again.  I hope you too will always remember to do the same.  As Christian soldiers in the Lords army, we need to gear up with the right armor.  The right battle clothes with the appropriate tools and arsenals to do so.  Who are we fighting?  The devil is our adversary.  So the Lord said to me, "This is what each piece of my armor stands for, and you are to apply it to your life.