The video for this poem is shot on location at/near my home in rural Saskatchewan. The scenes are meant to depict the battle that is going on within each of us, often alone and deep in thought, whether sitting in a special place, going for a walk, writing, or studying the Scriptures. The “Armor of God” charms belong to my daughter. The idea that this piece could be spoken as a performance in the right setting allows it to be more of a performing art to be shared rather than a solitary meditation.

The poem is taken directly from the Scripture passage in Ephesians 6:10-20. It was a new experience for me to focus specifically and intentionally through my writing. Before I wrote anything, I spent a lot of time thinking about it, studying about it, and praying about it. The spiritual battle is real. God has given us real tools to help us wage the war so that we will be victorious! The armor of God is hard to understand sometimes and it can be difficult to know how to harness the power of these. The concise statement that I have used for each piece of armor is meant to purposefully direct our thoughts so that we can use each piece of armor as God intended. Many times when I struggle, I recite this poem and it takes me through to a victorious frame of mind as I remind myself that Jesus has already won. Along with the passage from Ephesians, I used Psalm 40:1-3 as inspiration. I was teaching a Sunday School series on the Armor of God and I spent a considerable time studying through the scriptures to discern what each piece of armor meant so I could explain and illustrate it clearly to the kids. Many other passages and verses are alluded to throughout the poem, including but not limited to the following: Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Samuel 22, Job 19:25-26, Psalm 3:3, 4:8, 23, 46:1-2, 62:8, 91:4, John 3:16, 14:27, 15:4-7, 16:33, Romans 8:37, 15:4, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 4:6-7, 4:13, Colossians 1:13-14, 2:7, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 2:14-15, 1 Peter 4:11, 1 John 4:4, 4:8, and Revelation 17:14.
Paul asks for prayer to speak this message boldly, and I pray that I may as well, whether teaching the armor of God to children in Sunday School or through this video/performance of the poem that I have written.

Performance and sound background by creator/director, Cindy Latrace
Video and editing by Jemimah Latrace

PREVAIL

There is a battle raging
for my heart
my soul
my mind

It’s the darkness of the Devil
dragging me down
DOUBTS
FEARS
INSECURITIES

He whispers lies, twists the truth
He is a deceiver
TEMPTATION
SIN
SHAME

I am discouraged
sinking,
drowning,
mired in the mud of my life

Hope fades.

But a light flickers

He lifts me up, out of the muck and says, “STAND”

He tells me He loves me.
He says, “I have redeemed you.”
(gird thyself with the truth)

He reminds me that my righteousness He gave me through the cross,
and He will give me the courage to live a life that honours His name.
(put on the breastplate of righteousness)

My life overflows with a peace that is beyond understanding.
THIS IS MY STORY
(shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace)

My faith becomes my shield. Protection surrounds me.
(take up the shield and quench the fiery darts of the wicked one)

I know my Redeemer lives and I have nothing to fear.
(take the Helmet of Salvation)

I am rooted and grounded in God’s Word alone.
(And take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God)

Praying.
Watching.
Abiding in Him.
Spirit, give me strength to endure to the end.

The battle is raging, but the victory is mine
For greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.