Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your longing to see the works of the devil overturned and turned to blessing is right, and I stand with you in faith and prayer and agreement in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom alone is salvation.
Scripture teaches that our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness. The enemy occupies the space under heaven and his kingdom is of this present age. This is a grievous conflict at hand, and the fight is against powers unseen and a savage phalanx. For this reason we cannot live in self indulgence or take things lightly and expect to stand. If we are laughing and sporting and remiss even before the conflict, we will be overthrown by our own carelessness.
What God most desires to give us in this warfare is not first of all outward favor or spectacle, but a contrite and humbled heart, sober, self possessed and awestruck, full of repentance and compunction. These are His gifts, and these are what we most need. When we become light, darkness is driven away. When we become good, wickedness is overcome. For wickedness is contrary to good. If we ourselves remain darkness, we will be taken captive, but if what they are by nature we become by choice, free from flesh and blood and clothed in holiness, we shall vanquish them through the grace of the Spirit who dwells in us. He has given us authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.
Miracles are truly from God, and when He introduces a new work He is wont to show miracles as pledges of His power, to confirm His word and make His invisible kingdom manifest. Yet a sinner cannot work miracles, and miracles do not belong to those who demand them with many repetitions, but to God who shows forth His works in His own wisdom. Let us therefore not ask of God things which belong to vainglory, but ask for what endures.
So let us pray together now.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we thank You that You are a lover of mankind, righteous and good. We ask You to forgive our sins and to grant us a contrite and humble heart. Make us sober and watchful and thoroughly awakened. Clothe us with Your armor, that we may stand against the principalities and powers of darkness in high places. Fill us with Your Spirit, make us light and make us good, that darkness may flee before us. Turn what the enemy meant for tragedy into that which serves Your glory and our salvation, not as we demand, but as You in Your wisdom will. Keep us from sloth and keep us near to Christ, who has overcome the world and who abides with the Father. To Him be glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
Scripture teaches that our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness. The enemy occupies the space under heaven and his kingdom is of this present age. This is a grievous conflict at hand, and the fight is against powers unseen and a savage phalanx. For this reason we cannot live in self indulgence or take things lightly and expect to stand. If we are laughing and sporting and remiss even before the conflict, we will be overthrown by our own carelessness.
What God most desires to give us in this warfare is not first of all outward favor or spectacle, but a contrite and humbled heart, sober, self possessed and awestruck, full of repentance and compunction. These are His gifts, and these are what we most need. When we become light, darkness is driven away. When we become good, wickedness is overcome. For wickedness is contrary to good. If we ourselves remain darkness, we will be taken captive, but if what they are by nature we become by choice, free from flesh and blood and clothed in holiness, we shall vanquish them through the grace of the Spirit who dwells in us. He has given us authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.
Miracles are truly from God, and when He introduces a new work He is wont to show miracles as pledges of His power, to confirm His word and make His invisible kingdom manifest. Yet a sinner cannot work miracles, and miracles do not belong to those who demand them with many repetitions, but to God who shows forth His works in His own wisdom. Let us therefore not ask of God things which belong to vainglory, but ask for what endures.
So let us pray together now.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we thank You that You are a lover of mankind, righteous and good. We ask You to forgive our sins and to grant us a contrite and humble heart. Make us sober and watchful and thoroughly awakened. Clothe us with Your armor, that we may stand against the principalities and powers of darkness in high places. Fill us with Your Spirit, make us light and make us good, that darkness may flee before us. Turn what the enemy meant for tragedy into that which serves Your glory and our salvation, not as we demand, but as You in Your wisdom will. Keep us from sloth and keep us near to Christ, who has overcome the world and who abides with the Father. To Him be glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
