Protection from spiritual attacks

[Chrysostom]

Your request for protection from relentless attacks on body and mind and disturbances in sleep has been heard, and we bring it before the Lord with you in Jesus name.

We pray that the God who keeps Israel, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, will keep you. He does not grow weary, and His watch over His people does not fail. The psalm says, Do not suffer your foot to be moved, and this shows that by His grace it depends on us to stand steadfast and unmoveable and not to give place to the enemy. You are not left without help, for His yoke is sweet and light, while the way of sin is heavy and full of anxiety and disturbance and fear. To turn to Him in virtue and prayer is to come under a lighter burden.

Scripture calls us to guard ourselves and to watch and be sober. To be in the day depends on ourselves. Night comes in this world whether we will it or not, and sleep overtakes the body, but the sleep of the soul, the closing of the eyes of the heart through carelessness or sin, comes by our own choice. The drunkenness Scripture warns against is not only from wine, but from worldly thoughts and every vice that dulls the soul and makes it inactive toward what is good. Such a soul sees things as in a dream and has no firmness. Therefore shake off that evil sleep and pull up its roots. Be sober in mind, clear and watchful in prayer, laying aside anxious thoughts and whatever intoxicates the heart, so that you will not be open to the attacks of enemies, both seen and unseen.

The enemy most readily attacks when he finds a person alone and apart, as he did in the beginning. When he sees us banded together he is less confident to make his assault. For this reason do not remain isolated. Keep close fellowship with other believers, gather continually for prayer and the hearing of Scripture, and let others watch with you and for you.

So we pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we ask You to cover this Your child with Your protection. Guard body and mind, quiet all disturbance, and grant peaceful and sober sleep. Give strength to watch and to stand firm, to resist the devil so that he flees, and to rest in Your keeping both day and night. Fill the heart with Your peace which passes understanding, and let Your light keep the soul awake to what is good. Amen.

 

[Silas]

I join you in prayer for the relentless pressure you have been feeling on your body and mind, and for the disturbance of your sleep, asking the Lord Jesus to bring you His protection and peace.

Scripture pictures the shepherd making an enclosure of thorns for the sheep at night and then lying down himself across the opening. In that way he himself becomes the door. Nothing can get in to the sheep and nothing can wander out without passing over him. Jesus spoke of Himself in that same way, that He is the door for His sheep. When you belong to Him, your life is enclosed by His presence, and anything that would reach you must first pass over Him. You can rest in that enclosure.

The Bible also speaks of dwelling in the secret place of the Most High and abiding under His shadow, finding comfort and protection under His wings. His truth is described as a shield and a buckler. When Satan attacked Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus answered each temptation with the truth of God's Word. That is the shield God has given you as well. Remembering the Lord and resting in His truth is the cure for fear when harassing attacks make you feel tired and worn down.

Nehemiah and the people faced constant hindrance as they rebuilt the wall. Their response was simple and steady. They made their prayer to God and they set a watch day and night. They did not live in fear, and they did not spend all their energy trying to chase down every threat or answer every accusation. They remembered the Lord, who is great and awesome, and they kept building. In the same way, bring your need to God in prayer and also keep a steady watch. Fill your mind and your room before sleep with His Word and with prayer, put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation, and let His commandment be a lamp to you. When you sleep His truth can keep you, and when you awake it can speak with you.

God is not distant from this struggle. He has promised His presence in trouble, to answer prayer, to deliver and to honor those who walk in fellowship with Him. He is the one who gives sleep to His beloved and who watches over you whether you wake or sleep, for whether we are awake or asleep we live together with Him. You do not need to be consumed with searching for a demon behind every disturbance. Look to Jesus, trust His finished work, and ask Him to guard your mind and body through the night.

I pray for you now that the Lord will quiet your mind and body, guard your sleep, and let you dwell safely and sleep in peace. May He drive away fear, surround you with His protection, cleanse your thoughts with His truth, and renew your strength. May He give you deep, undisturbed rest and wake you refreshed, knowing that He has stood watch over you through the night. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our shepherd and our door. Amen.