Belief in Spiritual Warefare

[Coreopisis]

I appreciate that. I dealt with these issues for years (all through childhood and into adulthood - it wasn’t until a few years ago that I was able to work free of it.

I am just glad you freed yourself even if I don’t understand it. God works in mysterious ways and they don’t always make sense to us.

I will add you to my prayers though because all of us who have been through these things could use two things. Understanding and prayer. I will pray for ‘cheese’ lol.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

As one who has been in this type of warfare for years (I will not get into details), I can tell you it is true.

 

[Coreopisis]

As one who has been in this type of warfare for years (I will not get into details), I can tell you it is true.

The blessing and the curse.
While it is nice to be aware of what is happening in this world it is also hard, is it not?

 

[Sanne]

I’ve heard priests say that pure spirits, whether good or evil, have an intelligence far superior to ours. In my profession I have seen death many times, and here is where the battle really rages. I see and hear nothing, but I do have a very strong sense of what is going on, without being able to explain how I know this. Having no gifts or abilities to deal with this sort of thing, I can only watch and pray. I know that prayer is more powerful than any evil spirit. If I had understood this earlier in my life I’d have spent more time talking to Him. In my young years, it just didn’t seem possible that anything I might say in prayer could matter so much. Now that I am older, when standing beside the bed of someone who is dying, I know that prayer is everything.

 

[KingAlfred]

Well, for what it’s worth, I’m no longer Catholic, but at one time I was a huge believer in “spiritual warfare”. I almost always had, near to hand, holy water or blessed salt. I had an old exorcism prayer (a long one, promulgated by Pope Someone or Other the Xth). I could take authority and rebuke and all that jazz.

Except it didn’t work. The more I rebuked and whatever, the more my fears grew and tormentors increased. It got to the point were I could barely be alone in the dark. I always felt like something was following me, just around the corner, always out of sight.

It wasn’t until I gave up the “spiritual warfare” that I got relief. I stopped rebuking and instead asked the Divinity to be present in my home and around me. The Darkness cannot coexist with the Light.

The lesson I learned: if you are focusing your attention on the enemy, then you are giving it power. Instead, once I focused on the Divine, I became much more aware of It’s power in the world.

I wish I could do that, but the evil of which I speak actively stalks me, and must be countered, as a matter of survival. I have no choice other than spiritual and material death.

 

[Holly3278]

I voted for the first option.

 

[Coreopisis]

I’ve heard priests say that pure spirits, whether good or evil, have an intelligence far superior to ours. In my profession I have seen death many times, and here is where the battle really rages. I see and hear nothing, but I do have a very strong sense of what is going on, without being able to explain how I know this. Having no gifts or abilities to deal with this sort of thing, I can only watch and pray. I know that prayer is more powerful than any evil spirit. If I had understood this earlier in my life I’d have spent more time talking to Him. In my young years, it just didn’t seem possible that anything I might say in prayer could matter so much. Now that I am older, when standing beside the bed of someone who is dying, I know that prayer is everything.

Sanne -
The priest is right they do especially because they have thousands of years more experiance dealing with humans then we do. This is why we have to be so careful.

You are also right that prayer is far more powerful then they are.

I think you do have gifts. A profound gift of faith, some wisdom, and empathy. These are huge and those who die in your care/presense are very lucky. I hope I have someone like you helping me when my time comes. Thank you so much for sharing.
Peace,
Sarah

 

[Coreopisis]

I wish I could do that, but the evil of which I speak actively stalks me, and must be countered, as a matter of survival. I have no choice other than spiritual and material death.

KingAlfred, Your not alone.*

If you feel you need help and haven’t found help yet I have information for you of how to get ahold of an Catholic Exorcist near where you live if you need one, or those who coordinate with them to pray with people.

Do not worry. You always have a choice. I think God wants us to help eachother and need eachother. I think that is why it is so hard for us to conquer these things on our own.

With love,
Sarah

 

[allhers]

I have a question, when cheese said something about saying a long prayer of exorcism, I didn’t take that to mean that they were saying the St. Michael the Arch-Angel prayer but rather a longer version that, I do believe we are not suppose to be saying but rather leave that version to those who know more of what they are doing.
So, what I am asking is this, might not they (cheese) have been calling upon the demons instead of rejecting them? Just wondering, thank you.
I seem to identify more with what Sanne has said about this. To me, prayer in all things is the answer. Although I pray daily, throughout the whole day, I mostly ask during Holy Communion for the things that I believe people most need or want, and of course, I ask for His will to be done. I believe that the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Most Holy Rosary are the greatest of prayers outside of the Mass, and of course the reading of the Holy Bible.
I just recently watched the Haunting of Emily Rose and I believe that is why I was attracted to this thread. Thank you. I also thought that Emily is probably a Saint.

 

[cheese_sdc]

I have a question, when cheese said something about saying a long prayer of exorcism, I didn’t take that to mean that they were saying the St. Michael the Arch-Angel prayer but rather a longer version that, I do believe we are not suppose to be saying but rather leave that version to those who know more of what they are doing.
So, what I am asking is this, might not they (cheese) have been calling upon the demons instead of rejecting them? Just wondering, thank you.

I wish I could dig that pray up - I lost it years ago. (edit - I found a copy of it here) But I believe it was released for the use of the laity. There were sections to be omitted unless you were a priest.

I think that should answer your question.

 

[allhers]

I wish I could dig that pray up - I lost it years ago. (edit - I found a copy of it here) But I believe it was released for the use of the laity. There were sections to be omitted unless you were a priest.

I think that should answer your question.

Thanks cheese, that is similar to the prayer I know. What I was wondering though, is, were you omitting those parts that you were not suppose to be praying, or did you not know at that time to omit them? See, I just pray the short version, have never really ever seen the long version and have never prayed it. I just heard about it from someone is all. I do know, just from the little bit that I have read about exorcism, which is really very little, that you are never to answer a demon but only to pray, at least that is what I understood from what I read and I don’t even have a source for that as it was so long ago.

 

[Coreopisis]

Thanks cheese, that is similar to the prayer I know. What I was wondering though, is, were you omitting those parts that you were not suppose to be praying, or did you not know at that time to omit them? See, I just pray the short version, have never really ever seen the long version and have never prayed it. I just heard about it from someone is all. I do know, just from the little bit that I have read about exorcism, which is really very little, that you are never to answer a demon but only to pray, at least that is what I understood from what I read and I don’t even have a source for that as it was so long ago.

i can tell you that the people I’ve worked with or talked to me have said what you are saying. You are never supposed to talk to them. They often take that as an invitation to be obsess, posess, bother people or haunt places…

 

[allhers]

i can tell you that the people I’ve worked with or talked to me have said what you are saying. You are never supposed to talk to them. They often take that as an invitation to be obsess, posess, bother people or haunt places…

Thank you for your answer. Do you know anything about that longer version also that I asked about earlier, is it true that we are only to say the short version of the Saint Michael the Arch-Angel prayer? That is what I believe.

 

[cheese_sdc]

Thanks cheese, that is similar to the prayer I know. What I was wondering though, is, were you omitting those parts that you were not suppose to be praying, or did you not know at that time to omit them?

I omitted the correct parts.

 

[cheese_sdc]

i can tell you that the people I’ve worked with or talked to me have said what you are saying. You are never supposed to talk to them. They often take that as an invitation to be obsess, posess, bother people or haunt places…

I agree as well.

 

[beckycmarie]

You can find many spiritual warfare prayers along with some advice at the St. Pio Center for Deliverance Counseling:

Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog

SPCDC Help Page

 

[RosesforMary]

I have a question about such things, please excuse me if it’s too off topic.

I heard a Priest say that you could only be tempted by the devil in as much as God gave him permission to tempt you. He said that usually most people were not tempted too much, because God knows we are weak.

Is that correct? How does this apply to the idea of being attacked by such evil spirits? Surely God does not want that for you or think that that could be beneficial for you?

Thanks.

 

[Coreopisis]

Thank you for your answer. Do you know anything about that longer version also that I asked about earlier, is it true that we are only to say the short version of the Saint Michael the Arch-Angel prayer? That is what I believe.

You know I honestly don’t know.* The Priest I was working with told me to say a prayer to St. Michael but the prayer card he gave me was not the same as what that the other posted listed.* I can’t find the prayer card at the moment but I can share something else.*

While dealing with my violent demonic haunting stuff I developed a sort of prayer ritual that I would say before bed that I can share if you are interested.* It helped me feel better about things, more in control, and I noticed that it would calm things down a bit.

First I would say a prayer for my home to ask Jesus and his Angels to be there with me.* That way I wouldn’t feel so alone.*

#1:* PRAYER FOR THE HOME:* (Ask Jesus and his holy angels to dwell in my home with me so I didn’t feel alone.)
#2:* PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: (Ask Jesus for assitance and blessing in all that I do.)
#3.* PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: (Ask for any spiritual gifts I may need to endure)
#4.* PRAYER FOR THE MOST FORGOTTEN SOUL: (Just in case any of the spirits I saw were actually lost souls.)
#5.* PRAYER TO ST MICHAEL FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION (Asking for his special protection.)

I would also proclaim outloud sometimes I would yell it “Jesus is Lord over my house and my family and that evil had no right to be there.* I reject Satan and all that is not of God with my own free will that God granted me.”* - this usually rendered everything silent for a good 24 hours.If you are interested in the words to the prayers let me know and I will share.*

Peace,Sarah

 

[beckycmarie]

I have a question about such things, please excuse me if it’s too off topic.

I heard a Priest say that you could only be tempted by the devil in as much as God gave him permission to tempt you. He said that usually most people were not tempted too much, because God knows we are weak.

Is that correct? How does this apply to the idea of being attacked by such evil spirits? Surely God does not want that for you or think that that could be beneficial for you?

Thanks.

If demons attack us, they do it with God’s permission, and He allows it for our own good in the long run. God’s ways are so far above ours that it is hard for us to think how such a thing could help us.

There are many reasons he may allow it - as many reasons as there are people multiplied by the number of issues they have that need to be purified before they enter Heaven.

Suppose someone is riddled with doubts - nothing will clear up any doubt that this world is not all there is in the case of a visible or audible manifestation of demons.

God could allow the attacks as a form of redemptive suffering, as a way to teach someone resignation to His will, as a trial to test and strengthen their faith - any number of things. You and I can no more pick the mind of God than we can pick a star from the sky.

The bottom line is, demons are restrained and can do nothing that God doesn’t permit. And everything He permits is for love of us. Be not afraid.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Romans 8:28-31

 

[Coreopisis]

I have a question about such things, please excuse me if it’s too off topic.

I heard a Priest say that you could only be tempted by the devil in as much as God gave him permission to tempt you. He said that usually most people were not tempted too much, because God knows we are weak.

Is that correct? How does this apply to the idea of being attacked by such evil spirits? Surely God does not want that for you or think that that could be beneficial for you?

Thanks.

Good question

I don’t think we are always supposed to know the answer to this. Just like parents know what’s best for their children…the children don’t always understand.

But I can tell you about my experiance, I now believe that allowed it for a reason and all the good that has come of it.

My demonic torment, in summary spanned 30 years and included bed levitation, blankets being ripped off on a nightly basis, being punched, kicked, pushed down the stairs bouts of mysterious illnesses, depression, anxiety, things flying accross the room, my son getting attacked, friends visiting who watched ghosts/demons walk accross the room out one wall and through another, my pets being attacked by an unseen force and the list goes on and on.

Through this experiance I’ve gotten very close to God. I’ve made some of religous contacts and friends all over the world and near my home. I’ve learned more than I ever cared to learn about spiritual warfare and people who are “experts” self-proclaimed or otherwise. I learned what it means to go to confession and how it helps you. I learned the importance of the sacrements and of mass. I’ve also been able to help a handful of people. Perhaps this was the whole point?

Maybe some people need a wake-up call about what they are really up against too?

Some of us invite them into our lives through sin, through involvement with the occult and through other means. If getting involved in those things makes you get attacked demonically you would avoid them right?