Keeping thoughts hidden from the evil one

[nkelly]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

this may seem like a strange or silly question but I have a habit
of concealing my intentions/thoughts from the enemy. e.g. if I’m praying a novena, when it comes to the intentions bit, I only say the intention in my mind and never say it out loud. If feel that the enemy could use this information to work against my intentions and make matters worse.

Am I being silly and should I trust that God will prevent the enemy from destroying my efforts?

Any thoughts?

God bless,
Noel.

 

[nkelly]

BTW, the I know that the devil can’t read our minds! Thanks.

 

[blessedstar]

If you said your intentions outloud and satan or one of his demons knew your intentions it makes no difference because the ‘One who is in you is greater’ (from somewhere in the Gospel according to John).

Whatever power satan may have he is not greater than God. Satan may be so rude and bold as to intrude in the sanctity of your prayers to God, but satan is very intelligent and can perceive a great deal from the exterior of any person though as you rightly say he cannot search your mind, though he can cause intrusive thoughts or delve into placing desires into souls by way of temptation.

So it makes no difference whether you keep your intention in your mind and offer it up to God or you say it outloud.

Personally I don’t give two hoots whether satan knows my intentions or not because it gives me great consolation to know that my prayers drive him wild with anger and please Jesus.

You might like to consider being bold and unafraid. Don’t bother fearing satan because you are in Christ and Christ is greater than all things as you know because He is Lord of all things.

I think though that unless you are saying a vocal prayer like the Most Holy Rosary or partaking in Holy Mass that you might like to consider persuing mental prayer more often as this is a deepening of the spirituality and your prayer life with Jesus.

Go on be bold and fearless and don’t let that evil father of lies interfere with your prayers to Jesus in any way, shape or form! How satan would love to think that whenever you pray you are also thinking of his presence so vain and exhalted he thinks of himself.

Remember it is the Holy Spirit who prays in you, you say the prayer and God does the work. You know we can do nothing by our own efforts, you know that we are nothing and can do nothing but with God’s grace all work is done. So don’t worry about your own efforts, just trust in God that He will bring about what He desires to bring about by you offering Him your intentions. All God needs is your prayers prayed in the Holy Spirit and He does the rest.

Laugh at satan, I do, he isn’t worth anything else but derision, he may deem himself an enemy beyond match to humans but he is no match for God. So when you experience attack of any sort, stick your tongue out at him, ignore him (don’t converse with him) and laugh at him and hide yourself in the One who is all powerful, Jesus.

In my prayers

 

[littleone]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

this may seem like a strange or silly question but I have a habit
of concealing my intentions/thoughts from the enemy. e.g. if I’m praying a novena, when it comes to the intentions bit, I only say the intention in my mind and never say it out loud. If feel that the enemy could use this information to work against my intentions and make matters worse.

Am I being silly and should I trust that God will prevent the enemy from destroying my efforts?

Any thoughts?

God bless,
Noel.

You also have the right given you to bind satan in the name of Jesus Christ that all he hears will be as speaking in toungs. Why in toungs, because he cannot understand when he hears any prayer in toungs.

 

[nkelly]

Thanks for the advice blessedstar.

Littleone, I’m afraid you’ve lost me there. Do you mean speaking in tongues? So satan will only hear "speaking in tongues if I bind him in the name of Jesus Christ?? Please explain this to me.

God bless,
Noel.

 

[water]

Why in toungs, because he cannot understand when he hears any prayer in toungs.

I am not really sure why it matters to hide from Satan what we are praying for. Our purpose is to glorify God and to follow His will; and Satan’s purpose is the opposite. Therefore, there is nothing to hide. The two purposes are just obvious - there is no secret.

What we pray that glorifies God should be the Sword against Satan. Therefore, don’t be afraid! let him hear it. When you make the Cross sign over your body, you believe that Satan is afraid of it. With your prayer, it will do the same.

We should not be afraid of Satan hearing our prayers - the Lord is on your side.

 

[TOP]

BTW, the I know that the devil can’t read our minds! Thanks.

But can he see our sins? Tim

 

[littleone]

Quote:
Originally Posted by littleone
Why in toungs, because he cannot understand when he hears any prayer in toungs.

I am not really sure why it matters to hide from Satan what we are praying for. Our purpose is to glorify God and to follow His will; and Satan’s purpose is the opposite. Therefore, there is nothing to hide. The two purposes are just obvious - there is no secret.

What we pray that glorifies God should be the Sword against Satan. Therefore, don’t be afraid! let him hear it. When you make the Cross sign over your body, you believe that Satan is afraid of it. With your prayer, it will do the same.

We should not be afraid of Satan hearing our prayers - the Lord is on your side.

Well the situation came a long time ago I was praying against a very heavy spirit and I found that every time I prayed satan would interfere and this caused me much annoyance, so I thought that if I pray in tongs then He can’t understand me only God can. How ever as I mentioned you don’t have to use this, it worked for me because God wanted this to happen…
There is definitely no fear in this, the spirit leads in different ways in some situation I might be in. Some times it takes a long time and there can be a lot of spirits. So although we put on the armor of God claim the blood of Jesus Christ over us still satan will do his worst because he doesn’t like being moved.
I know that all power is to Jesus Christ for ever and for ever.

I only thought that it might offer you another option. I don’t often go into the past issues.
God bless
Littleone.

 

[nkelly]

I am not really sure why it matters to hide from Satan what we are praying for. Our purpose is to glorify God and to follow His will; and Satan’s purpose is the opposite. Therefore, there is nothing to hide. The two purposes are just obvious - there is no secret.

What we pray that glorifies God should be the Sword against Satan. Therefore, don’t be afraid! let him hear it. When you make the Cross sign over your body, you believe that Satan is afraid of it. With your prayer, it will do the same.

We should not be afraid of Satan hearing our prayers - the Lord is on your side.

Thanks for the reply water. Let me explain my main concern. Let’s say I’m praying for someone’s conversion. If I mention this person’s name, I’m afraid that satan will renew his attacks on that person and try to win that person’s soul. Now let’s say that person has very little faith and isn’t aware that satan is tempting them. Can I safely assume that God will defend this person from the devil’s attacks and that I won’t make matters worse by praying for a person? Maybe I’m just being silly!

God bless,
Noel.

 

[Eliza10]

… Let’s say I’m praying for someone’s conversion. If I mention this person’s name, I’m afraid that satan will renew his attacks on that person and try to win that person’s soul. Now let’s say that person has very little faith and isn’t aware that satan is tempting them. Can I safely assume that God will defend this person from the devil’s attacks and that I won’t make matters worse by praying for a person? Maybe I’m just being silly!

God bless,
Noel.

I would avoid worrying at all about the Devils interfering with your prayer intentions, because that interferes with your praying!

You know God doesn’t want you to worry. “Be anxious for nothing”, He says.

Anxiousness robs you of your peace, and peace is the place in your heart where you meet God. God doesn’t want you to crowd Him out His special meeting place in your heart!

Since its a worry, you can take “littleone”'s advice about the tongues (she just misspelled that word).

I do not think that Satan is privy to our prayers Its a private conversation. Wouldn’t God keep him out of His precious conversation with you – whose prayers and trust He so deeply desires??

If you are at all unsure that He would not exclude the devil from your private conversations with Him, then start each prayer with your own form of this statement: “Lord, this prayer is just for you and not for the ears of any evil ones”. Then trust, knowing the Lord would certainly honor that prayer!

As far as the above senario, if you asked God to bring about the conversion, even if its possible that your prayer might renew Satans attacks on the person (trhis does not seem likely to me), then who is going to win in the ensuing “war” that you brought on by your prayer? God, or Satan?

 

[littleone]

I am not; ***definitely not ***saying I was, or am afraid there is as you might recall in my last entry no place for fear when working with the Holy Spirit. Otherwise there would not be any anointing. Please don’t get this wrong.
May I ask, have any of you been used for healing, for deliverance, for miracles? Well if you have you would know what I am saying if you have not then may I suggest that you might consider reading some Catholic books on the subjects.
Any way I don’t want to detract from the thread, please.:ehh:

God bless
Littleone.

 

[nkelly]

May I ask, have any of you been used for healing, for deliverance, for miracles?

Please explain this for me. Used in what way?

 

[littleone]

Please explain this for me. Used in what way?

What I mean is having a gift of healing, to touch pray and a person is healed on the spot.
Of deliverance, where a person is delivered of certain spirits, demons by the power of the Holy Spirit in a prayer session especially for deliverance.
Of miracles, and or, providence, where a person has asked for something and you have prayed for God’s providence and through a straight out miracle the situation is resolved.

These are all gifts of the Holy Spirit, to be used where and when the spirit is upon that person.

 

[water]

I would avoid worrying at all about the Devils interfering with your prayer intentions, because that interferes with your praying!

You know God doesn’t want you to worry. “Be anxious for nothing”, He says.

Anxiousness robs you of your peace, and peace is the place in your heart where you meet God. God doesn’t want you to crowd Him out His special meeting place in your heart!

Since its a worry, you can take “littleone”'s advice about the tongues (she just misspelled that word).

I do not think that Satan is privy to our prayers Its a private conversation. Wouldn’t God keep him out of His precious conversation with you – whose prayers and trust He so deeply desires??

If you are at all unsure that He would not exclude the devil from your private conversations with Him, then start each prayer with your own form of this statement: “Lord, this prayer is just for you and not for the ears of any evil ones”. Then trust, knowing the Lord would certainly honor that prayer!

As far as the above senario, if you asked God to bring about the conversion, even if its possible that your prayer might renew Satans attacks on the person (trhis does not seem likely to me), then who is going to win in the ensuing “war” that you brought on by your prayer? God, or Satan?

I am agreed with Eliza.

Another think I would like to add is that when we pray, we must have faith in God and must be patient. You faith in Him will help you overcome the worry. Your prayer might not get answered right away. It might take 10 years 15 years or 20 years. Just be patient.

At my parish’s praise and worship group, one lady converted to Catholic after her friend praying for her exactly 7 years.

 

[asquared]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

this may seem like a strange or silly question but I have a habit
of concealing my intentions/thoughts from the enemy. e.g. if I’m praying a novena, when it comes to the intentions bit, I only say the intention in my mind and never say it out loud. If feel that the enemy could use this information to work against my intentions and make matters worse.

Am I being silly and should I trust that God will prevent the enemy from destroying my efforts?

Any thoughts?

God bless,
Noel.

it does sound like it could become a superstition if you are operating from a point of view that assumes satan can interfere with your prayers or the person for whom you are praying, simply because you say the prayer out loud. sounds like belief in the evil eye or something.

I agree with blessedstar, that sounds like a much more healthy attitude toward prayer.

 

[Fergal]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

this may seem like a strange or silly question but I have a habit
of concealing my intentions/thoughts from the enemy. e.g. if I’m praying a novena, when it comes to the intentions bit, I only say the intention in my mind and never say it out loud. If feel that the enemy could use this information to work against my intentions and make matters worse.

Am I being silly and should I trust that God will prevent the enemy from destroying my efforts?

Any thoughts?

God bless,
Noel.

No you are not being silly. There is a book called All About the Holy Spirit, written by Del Valle. It tells us that the school of the Holy SPirit is silence and the devil does not know what is conversed in silence with God.
On the other hand he prowls about the walls of the school listening intently for the slightest of words in order to go to work usurping and interfering.

I would say your actions are well founded.

 

[water]

No you are not being silly. There is a book called All About the Holy Spirit, written by Del Valle. It tells us that the school of the Holy SPirit is silence and the devil does not know what is conversed in silence with God.
On the other hand he prowls about the walls of the school listening intently for the slightest of words in order to go to work usurping and interfering.

I would say your actions are well founded.

If praying in silence is a great tool to keep Satan from eavesdropping, shouldn’t we be silence at all time when praying for anything?

 

[nkelly]

it does sound like it could become a superstition if you are operating from a point of view that assumes satan can interfere with your prayers or the person for whom you are praying, simply because you say the prayer out loud. sounds like belief in the evil eye or something.

I agree with blessedstar, that sounds like a much more healthy attitude toward prayer.

Since the devil can’t read our thoughts, it surely must make some difference whether we pray vocally or mentally. My thinking is that vocal prayer gives satan an advantage that he otherwise wouldn’t have. I don’t see anything superstitious about this.

God bless,
Noel.

 

[nkelly]

No you are not being silly. There is a book called All About the Holy Spirit, written by Del Valle. It tells us that the school of the Holy SPirit is silence and the devil does not know what is conversed in silence with God.
On the other hand he prowls about the walls of the school listening intently for the slightest of words in order to go to work usurping and interfering.

I would say your actions are well founded.

Thanks Fergal. I’m glad someone understands what I’m getting at!

God bless,
Noel.

 

[Asbestos_Mango]

Quote:
Originally Posted by littleone
Why in toungs, because he cannot understand when he hears any prayer in toungs.

I am not really sure why it matters to hide from Satan what we are praying for. Our purpose is to glorify God and to follow His will; and Satan’s purpose is the opposite. Therefore, there is nothing to hide. The two purposes are just obvious - there is no secret.

What we pray that glorifies God should be the Sword against Satan. Therefore, don’t be afraid! let him hear it. When you make the Cross sign over your body, you believe that Satan is afraid of it. With your prayer, it will do the same.

We should not be afraid of Satan hearing our prayers - the Lord is on your side.

Well the situation came a long time ago I was praying against a very heavy spirit and I found that every time I prayed satan would interfere and this caused me much annoyance, so I thought that if I pray in tongs then He can’t understand me only God can. How ever as I mentioned you don’t have to use this, it worked for me because God wanted this to happen…
There is definitely no fear in this, the spirit leads in different ways in some situation I might be in. Some times it takes a long time and there can be a lot of spirits. So although we put on the armor of God claim the blood of Jesus Christ over us still satan will do his worst because he doesn’t like being moved.
I know that all power is to Jesus Christ for ever and for ever.

I only thought that it might offer you another option. I don’t often go into the past issues.
God bless
Littleone.

This reminds me of a story that was told to me many years ago- years before I came home to the Church- by a charismatic Catholic woman I knew.

She had what I guess you’d call an infestation. Some spirit or poltergeist had moved into her house and was trashing her kitchen on a nightly basis. Dishes flying, unopened bags of noodles and such moving as though there was a mouse inside the bag, and all manner of such nonsense.

So, of course, she prayed, flung Holy Water, prayed some more… and it didn’t help.

Finally, one night, when she had reached a point of exhaustion, she went into her kitchen, saw the dishes flying, the noodles crawling, etc. She just looked at the mess, and said, “OK, Satan, do what you want, just clean up my kitchen when you’re done.” and off she went to bed.

The spirit, or whatever it was, left and never bothered her again.

She defeated Satan by letting him know that she wasn’t afraid of him.

I think Satan is delighted that you have such fear of him that you feel the need to keep him from hearing your prayer intentions.

Once you get it through your head that you are under God’s protection, and Satan can’t touch you unless you let him, you’ll be able to pray without fear.