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| 'Be quiet', said Jesus sternly, 'and come out of him'. And the evil spirit left the man. |
ANGELS OF DARKNESS
The angels of darkness are angelic forces which turned hostile to God in spiritual history.
These forces are led by an angelically natured being named satan; the name simply means 'adversary'.
The name 'adversary' describes satan's plans; he works to frustrate God's plans to establish the Kingdom of God among us here on earth.
This malevolent being is also known by other names, such as devil, or lucifer.
History
In the Jewish pseudepigraphical writings 'The Life of Adam and Eve' [Chapters 11-16], it is told that God the LORD created humans in His Own Image and Likeness [that is, like God] - and breathed life in them.
Archangel Michael carried God's command to satan and the angels to bow down to Adam; and satan rebelled.
Other angels also refused to accept the newly created children of God made in His Image and Likeness, and war began to break out in Heaven.
The situation in the Heavenly realm had been uneasy for some time before this catalyst.
Apparently satan and numerous angel spirits in the heavenly realms were dissatisfied and conspiring against God the LORD.
Saint Michael the Archangel, Prince of the Angels and always in the Presence of God, carried an ultimatum from God to satan.
Controversy raged, and satan is said to have replied,
"If He be wrath with me, I will set my seat above the stars of heaven and will be like the Highest."
Satan then attempted the overthrow of the Reign of God in Heaven; war broke out in heaven [Revelation 12;7]
War in Heaven
Archangel Michael and his angels fought against satan, and satan and his angels fought back [Revelation 12;7].
The outcome was that the powerful satan was vanquished, and he was thrown down to earth from Heaven.
Jesus, the Son of God, Himself attested to the event; "I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven", [Luke 10;18].
2 Enoch explains that after the angels were created, positions were assigned to them.
The angel satanel rebelled because he thought he could become more powerful than God. God, therefore, threw him out of heaven.
"But one from the order of Archangels deviated, together with the division that was under his authority.
He thought up the impossible idea, that he might place his throne higher than the clouds which are above the earth, and that he might become equal to my power.
And I hurled him out from the height, together with his angels.
And he was flying around in the air, ceaselessly, above the Bottomless." - 2 Enoch 29:4-5.
The Fall
Unfortunately, humanity became embroiled in the plot.
Satan had refused to accept Adam's role as planned by God; he regarded Adam as inferior and younger than himself.
He claimed that Adam should worship him.
Because of this, and because of his plan to set himself up as greater than God, satan and the other angels were banished from heaven.
Satan then decided to bring about the ruin of Adam and Eve.
With guile and deceit satan cheated Eve, and brought about the ruin of the couple - and the destruction of their privileged relationship with God.
As satan had been driven out of his glory, so now Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise.
Earth
Since that time, satan has plagued humanity, attempting to set up worship to himself among humans.
Jesus witnessed to this attempt when satan tried to entrap Jesus to worship him [Matthew 4; 8-11].
It is foretold that the war which began in Heaven and continues to rage on earth between satan's camp and God and His followers, will end in victory for God and His people.
Satan and his followers will then be placed into an eternal jail sentence, from whence he will no longer be ever able to trouble anyone anymore. [Revelation 20;10]
Until that time
Until the time of final victory of God over the forces of evil, humanity will continue to be troubled by evil forces.
None of us have to question whether evil walks in the world; everyone experiences this trouble from time to time.
Satan and the fallen angels
Satan and the fallen angels are dissident angels who have become demons.
Demons are evil spirits or devils who have become hostile forces.
They are sources or agents of evil, harm, distress and ruin.
Demons cause trouble and unhappiness.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST SATAN AND FOLLOWERS
The Sacraments of Baptism, Confession, Eucharist are effective against demonic forces.
Prayer to God, The Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph, Saint Michael the Archangel, the Angels and the Saints, all offer protection against the devil.
Don't get involved in any games which call up other world spirits.
Ouija boards are not just a game - they can invite demonic forces.
Avoid Ouija boards, games of 'glassy glassy'.
Also avoid books and rituals to do with the occult.
Avoid curses.
Banish jealousy, hatred, bitterness and dark thoughts from your life.
Avoid watching movies with themes of violence, hatred, revenge, jealousy, infidelity, demonic possession.
Avoid reading literature that is involved with the occult.
Fill your mind with thoughts of God and His Angels and Saints; seek for the good and avoid the bad.
Watch and read only that which is God-centered and good.
Venerate all life in all circumstances.
Your Guardian Angel
Each of us has been assigned an angel to be our personal guardian.
Pray to your angel for guidance and protection.
Daily Prayer to Your Guardian Angel
"Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God's Love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard,
To rule and guide. Amen."
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
"Saint Michael the Archangel
Defend us in the hour of conflict,
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God restrain him, we humbly pray:
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
By the Power of God thrust satan down into hell, and with him all the wicked spirits
Who wander through the world for the ruin of souls, Amen."
Prayer to Our Lady, Mother of God
Mary of Nazareth is the Most Powerful Victor against satan.
When she appeared to St Bernadette of Lourdes, satanic manifestation showed how annoyed satan and his followers were at her heavenly visitations.
At the fourth apparition of Our Lady, Bernadette heard demonic voices rising from the waters of the River Gave.
Our Lady merely gave a stern glance towards the source of the sounds, and the demonic howls immediately ceased.
If you need help, ask Our Lady for her help with that most powerful prayer, the Holy Rosary. [See how to say the Rosary below]. [1]
A really powerful Novena is the 54 Day Rosary Novena; in which you say the rosary for 54 consecutive days for a specific intention.
Ways in which to ward off evil influence
If you, a friend or a family member are threatened - or influenced - by an evil spirit, the first step is prayer.
Pray to God to help the affected person to break free of this power.
Cease all practices which invoke or strengthen the demonic action in the affected person's life.
Wear the Miraculous Medal, which has great power to break demonic influence. [3]
Have your house blessed with holy water by a good Priest.
Carry a small bottle of holy water [water blessed by a good priest]. You can bless yourself with the holy water if you need comfort, protection and strength.
It is easy to make the sign of the cross; dip the third finger of your right hand into the holy water, touch your forehead reverently while praying quietly or aloud, 'In the Name of the Father,' then touch the third finger of your right hand to the middle of your chest praying 'And of the Son'. Then touch the third finger of your right hand to the top of your left arm as you pray 'And of the Holy Spirit', finally touching the third finger of your right hand to the top of your right arm as you pray 'Amen'.
There are exorcists from reliable churches whose main work is to banish extreme forms of harmful demonic possession. Go for advice to them, if needed. Be careful and discerning who to approach for advice.
A local Bishop of a reliable church can be of guidance.
The best advice is not to get involved with the dark forces in the first place; the way to do this is to stay in close communication and relationship with Jesus, and all in His Kingdom.
In the links below, find out how to pray the Rosary; and where to purchase rosary beads and the Miraculous Medal.
[1] How to Pray the Holy Rosary
The Mysteries of the Rosary
Joyful Mysteries [say on Mondays and Thursdays]
Sorrowful Mysteries [Tuesdays and Fridays]
Glorious Mysteries [Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays].
In recent years, the Luminous Mysteries have been added. [This can be said on Thursdays].
See link [2] for more details on which days it is suggested to say the different Mysteries. Also for links to the Mysteries, with meditations you can ponder on while reciting the holy words.
(1) Make the Sign of the Cross while saying: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Make your intentions.
(2) While holding on to the crucifix, say the “Apostles’ Creed”: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence, He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
(3) Say the “Our Father”:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
(4) Say “Hail Mary” (3 times):
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
(5) Say the “Glory Be“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
(6) Announce the First Mystery; then say “Our Father.”
(7) Say 10 “Hail Marys” (called a decade) on each of the small beads, while meditating on the mystery:
(8) Say the “Glory Be to the Father.”
(9) After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima:
Fatima Prayers
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.”
(10) Announce the Second Mystery. Then say Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be and O My Jesus.
(11) Announce the Third Mystery. Then say Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be and O My Jesus.
(12) Announce the Fourth Mystery. Then say Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be and O My Jesus.
(13) Announce the Fifth Mystery. Then say Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be and O My Jesus.
Concluding Prayers
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope, to thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray!
O God, Whose, only-begotten Son, by His Life, Death and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech thee, that, meditating on the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Michael PrayerSt. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of Battle; Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke Him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl through the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima Prayers
The Pardon Prayer:
O my God, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, and do not love Thee.
The Angel’s Prayer:Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. And through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Optional Concluding Prayers
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Amen. (3 times)
[2] How to pray the Rosaryhttp://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm#loaded
Pray the Rosary online with others as a community
http://www.comepraytherosary.org/
[3] Where to purchase the Miraculous Medal and Medals of the Saint and Angels
http://www.totallycatholic.com/subcategory/tiny_catholic_medals_and_charms
and
Miraculous Medals at
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amiraculous%20medal
[3] Where to purchase Rosary beads
http://www.totallycatholic.com/rosaries
With thanks to rosary-center.org, comepraytherosary.org, amazon.com and totallycatholic.com
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