I am already running into some spiritual attacks and resistance as we enter this campaign. Do not be surprised if some negative things - from annoyances to real crises - come your way. Remember, the folks on the Rosebud have called for a war on suicide. Satan and his spiritual forces will fight back, and "prayer warriors" are targets.
- Remember to practice penitential prayer, because the devil is a tempter and will use your sins to discredit your witness to Jesus. Examine yourself daily, confess what is ungodly in your life and rely upon the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
- Remember to stay humble. The spiritual forces oppressing the Rosebud are powerful. They have been there for a long, long time. They will not be easy to displace. William Hobart Hare, the missionary bishop to the Dakotas, noted that Indians will not give up the spirit religion of their ancestors until they see that something new actually works for their good. The spirits that are driving the suicide epidemic do not want the Name of Jesus to be seen as effective.
- Remember to be a servant. Put the interests of the Rosebud's people first during this campaign. Effective prayer and fasting will stress our time and energy and possibly other resources should some of us be called to travel to the Reservation.
From the Holy Bible (Mark 3, New Living Translation)
9 Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. 10 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. 11 And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” 12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.
Jesus, the spirits know you and must obey you. Help us to be your servants, doing the tasks that you give us in support of the work that only you can do. Deliver us from thinking ourselves smarter or stronger than the spirits. Give us your Holy Spirit so that we do only what you teach and represent you alone. We pray this in your Name.
13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. 14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles.They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, 15 giving them authority to cast out demons.
Father, give us the Holy Spirit to guide us, so that we will not go beyond the specific work Jesus gives to each of us. Let us accept Jesus' call and keep us close to him. Let us use only the authority he delegates to us, according to his timing. We ask in Jesus' Name.
20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.
22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”
Lord Jesus, we know that "Satan" means "accuser." Strengthen us against accusing, discouraging voices. We might be called "racist" for praying against old Reservation spirits. We might be called "fundamentalists" or "weird" by clergy or friends for engaging in spiritual warfare. Let us obey only you and rejoice only in doing the Father's will. We pray in your Name.
23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. 24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. 27 Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.
Jesus, only you can tie up Satan and take souls from his house. But you tell us that your church can break hell's gates in your service. Help us to stay humble but steady in the work of prayer. Help us to destroy demonic fortifications in this war against suicide, so that you can come in and bring new life on the Rosebud. We ask this in your Name.
Amen.
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