Prayer as armour against Satan, to protect our joy and happiness.
“Dear children! These days you have experienced God’s sweetness through the renewals which have been in this parish. Satan wants to work still more fiercely to take away your joy from each one of you. By prayer you can completely disarm him and ensure your happiness. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
In this message, our Blessed Mother draws our attention to another area where Satan may deceive us through conceit and pride, especially in successes and achievements. "Being on guard" is an ongoing task for us, and the unceasing prayer of watchfulness as our spiritual armour is the weapon to secure God's gifts of joy and happiness for us. In deep prayer we open our hearts to God enabling Him to be our defender against the Evil One.
1st day: Matthew 7:15-20. (Thursday)
The test of truth.
Matthew 7:15-20.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. 18 A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
2nd day: John 15:10-11. (Friday)
Fidelity to Jesus bears fruits of joy. Cf. John 16:20-22. Even sorrow will turn to joy.
John 15:10-11.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Cf. John 16:20-22.
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
3rd day: Luke 6:22-23. (Saturday)
Suffering for the sake of Jesus can be a special source of joy.
Luke 6:22-23.
22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
4th day: 1 Peter 5:6-11. (Sunday)
By ‘unloading our burden on to God’ we are protected against Satan. Cf. Psalm 55:22.
1 Peter 5:6-11.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. 8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. 11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Cf. Psalm 55:22.
22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
5th day: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. (Monday)
The danger of being conceited. But trusting God helps us even in our weakness.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13.
12 Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
6th day: James 1:13-15. (Tuesday)
The cause of temptations is often our own wrongful desire.
Cf. Romans 7:8-10; 14-20.
James 1:13-15.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; 14 but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.
Cf. Romans 7:8-10.
8 But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment, wrought in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died; 10 the very commandment which promised life proved to be death to me.
Cf. Romans 7:14-20.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me.
7th day: Romans 13:14. (Wednesday)
Jesus is our armour against Satan. Cf. Ephesians 6:10-11.
Romans 13:14.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Cf. Ephesians 6:10-11.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Holy Michael, 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, prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down to hell Satan, and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.