Spiritual Warfare and Becoming a Prayer Warior
The Spiritual Tools and Disciplines to Defeat Evil
Mar 10, 2009
Spiritual Warfare: Part II
While the majority of the country believes in Jesus, unfortunately, too many people believe that there is no Satan and they find out too late what he really is and how easily they were tricked into following his path. At Fatima, Portugal, the Blessed Mother Mary allegedly once said to a group of children, "Souls are falling into hell like snowflakes."
The Spiritual Disciplines Needed for Spiritual Warfare
In the article, “What is Spiritual Warfare”, the author states that “Spiritual warfare is a pro-active approach to our faith.” We must actively resist the devil and actively pursue spiritual disciplines “that will make us stronger and better prepared.” (Don Rogers, Spiritual Warfare Ministries Online, Spiritual Warfare Ministries, Inc., 1998.)
- Prayer: Prayer is foremost among the spiritual weapons. To don the “Armor of Protection” demands constant prayer. Prayer creates a holy and blessed armor that cannot be penetrated by a foe, and envelopes a family in a "Blanket of Faith” that evil cannot penetrate.
- Living a holy and sacred life: As goodness is opposed to evil, so it is that evil is bitterly repulsed by goodness. Thus, when one strives to lead a pure and holy life in the name of Jesus and the ways He taught, spiritual oppression lessens.
- Fasting and sacrifice: Fasting and Sacrifice are critically important to spiritual development. They make atonement to God and amends for sins, and help to give spiritual acuity. Fasting also helps one to put aside the material pleasures of the world and heighten the spiritual nature of life.
- The Sacraments: Sacraments are important in the fight against evil, especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Reconciliation (confession.) Holy Mass is one of the greatest gifts to man and is the highest form of worship and adoration of God. Mass is community prayer, family prayer, prayer by all - for all. Reconciliation is where the real healing of a man’s damaged spirit actually occurs and through Confession with a priest, the renouncing of evil is an extraordinarily powerful tool to break one’s bondage to evil. In simplest form reconciliation is conversion, the conscious renouncing of evil and sin.
- The use of Blessed and Sacred Objects: The use of Blessed and Sacred Objects in the home is another great protection against evil. They are a powerful weapon against evil and can best be thought of as a home security system that bars entrance into your home from any unwanted intrusion by evil. They repulse evil and keep it away. Sacred and Blessed Objects include Medals and Scapulars, Statues, Crucifixes, Bibles and Prayer Books, Home Alters and Shrines, Holy Water, Holy Oil, and Prayer Cards and Holy Pictures prominently displayed.
In 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, the Blessed Mother Mary allegedly appeared to Jacinta, Lucia and Francisco, three children, and imparted several secrets to them. Lucia said, “The Most Holy Virgin told me that the devil is engaging in a decisive battle... and it is the final battle where one side will be victorious and the other side will suffer defeat. Hence from now on we must choose sides. Either we are for God or we are for the devil. There is no other possibility.”
Satan wants all men to lose their souls by remaining obstinate in sin. To be holy means to not invite, nurture, or entertain sin. It means to reject temptation immediately. Master the process of sanctification. Live a life of full goodness. Desire to please God in everything. See evil for what it really is, and combat it with all one's heart. The war will be won, but only if everyone wages a spiritual war - a war of purification. It has so been written.
Be Sure to Review: Spiritual Warfare - Part I
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