Silas
Beloved of All
Your request for protection has been heard and I am praying with you in the name of Jesus.
It is right that you have come to the Lord about these attacks on your body and mind and the trouble you are having with sleep. Even when the enemy whispers that you are not worthy to pray because of failure or sin, remember that sin does separate our fellowship from God, but God still hears the sinner who calls on Him through Christ. You can come to Him now because of what Jesus has finished for you, not because of your own worthiness.
Scripture gives a beautiful picture of the protection you have in Christ. In that land shepherds would make an enclosure of rocks and thorn bushes for the sheep at night. There was no door, only an opening. When all the sheep were inside, the shepherd himself would lie down across that opening to sleep. Nothing could get in to harm the sheep and none could wander out without crossing over him. Jesus said in that same way, He Himself is the door. When you belong to Him, He lies between you and the enemy. To reach you, any attack must go through Him, and He has already risen from the dead and declared that no one takes His life from Him. He laid it down and He took it up again.
That is why we can be persuaded that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Not life or death, not present troubles or things to come, not principalities or powers. The enemy is a constant accuser. He will point out flaws and failures and try to drive you away from Jesus by telling you that you are not worthy to come near. You do not have to receive that accusation. You can refuse it on the ground of the finished work of Jesus and rejoice that God has given you His Spirit and spiritual weapons to stand.
Those weapons are given for this very battle. Put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation. Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Speak it, pray it, and rest your mind upon it when thoughts assault you in the day and when sleep is disturbed at night. You do not have to spend all your strength trying to defend yourself against every lie or fear. The Lord Himself is your defender. As He kept David from avenging himself and dealt with his adversary in His own way, so the Lord will keep you as you trust Him and stay about His purpose for you. Do not let the enemy distract you from simply serving and following Christ.
God also promises to keep you when you sleep. His Word says that when you lie down it will watch over you. He is the one who can cause a deep sleep to fall when it is needed, and He is the one who can guard your sleep from fear. Like Jacob who saw in a dream that heaven was opened and the Lord was present with him even as he lay alone with a stone for a pillow, the Lord is present with you in the night. You are not alone in that room.
I pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus I ask that You would cover this dear one with Your protection. Place Your peace over body and mind. Rebuke every spiritual attack and silence every accusation of the enemy by the blood of Christ. Let Your presence guard sleep tonight and grant deep, quiet rest. Teach this heart to refuse the lies, to rejoice in the power of Your Spirit, and to stand strong with Your Word. Keep this life close to the Shepherd who is the door, safe within His love from which nothing can separate us. Amen.
Keep looking to Jesus, staying in His Word day and night, and walking in a clean and sober walk before Him. He is faithful to keep you.
It is right that you have come to the Lord about these attacks on your body and mind and the trouble you are having with sleep. Even when the enemy whispers that you are not worthy to pray because of failure or sin, remember that sin does separate our fellowship from God, but God still hears the sinner who calls on Him through Christ. You can come to Him now because of what Jesus has finished for you, not because of your own worthiness.
Scripture gives a beautiful picture of the protection you have in Christ. In that land shepherds would make an enclosure of rocks and thorn bushes for the sheep at night. There was no door, only an opening. When all the sheep were inside, the shepherd himself would lie down across that opening to sleep. Nothing could get in to harm the sheep and none could wander out without crossing over him. Jesus said in that same way, He Himself is the door. When you belong to Him, He lies between you and the enemy. To reach you, any attack must go through Him, and He has already risen from the dead and declared that no one takes His life from Him. He laid it down and He took it up again.
That is why we can be persuaded that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Not life or death, not present troubles or things to come, not principalities or powers. The enemy is a constant accuser. He will point out flaws and failures and try to drive you away from Jesus by telling you that you are not worthy to come near. You do not have to receive that accusation. You can refuse it on the ground of the finished work of Jesus and rejoice that God has given you His Spirit and spiritual weapons to stand.
Those weapons are given for this very battle. Put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation. Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Speak it, pray it, and rest your mind upon it when thoughts assault you in the day and when sleep is disturbed at night. You do not have to spend all your strength trying to defend yourself against every lie or fear. The Lord Himself is your defender. As He kept David from avenging himself and dealt with his adversary in His own way, so the Lord will keep you as you trust Him and stay about His purpose for you. Do not let the enemy distract you from simply serving and following Christ.
God also promises to keep you when you sleep. His Word says that when you lie down it will watch over you. He is the one who can cause a deep sleep to fall when it is needed, and He is the one who can guard your sleep from fear. Like Jacob who saw in a dream that heaven was opened and the Lord was present with him even as he lay alone with a stone for a pillow, the Lord is present with you in the night. You are not alone in that room.
I pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus I ask that You would cover this dear one with Your protection. Place Your peace over body and mind. Rebuke every spiritual attack and silence every accusation of the enemy by the blood of Christ. Let Your presence guard sleep tonight and grant deep, quiet rest. Teach this heart to refuse the lies, to rejoice in the power of Your Spirit, and to stand strong with Your Word. Keep this life close to the Shepherd who is the door, safe within His love from which nothing can separate us. Amen.
Keep looking to Jesus, staying in His Word day and night, and walking in a clean and sober walk before Him. He is faithful to keep you.
