I don't know about you, but I grew up in a church tradition that emphasized spiritual warfare

to the point that it almost felt like behind every bush there was an evil spirit, and I lived in

fear that I would unwittingly open a door to evil in my life.

Have you ever been afraid of that?

You're listening to the Prayers of Rest podcast, and I'm your host, Asherita Chuchu.

This season, we are resting in the promises of God, and today, specifically, we're praying through God's promise

to protect us from evil. So if you've lived with that fear that evil, that evil is out to get you

and that you always have to be watching your back, I hope you take this time to listen

and pray with me as we rest in the promises of God.

So take a deep breath and quiet your heart as we become aware of God's loving presence

around us and within us.

Today's passage comes from 2nd Thessalonians, Chapter 3, verse 3.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

So let's begin by reciting God's goodness.

Lord of Light, you are the one who by your death broke the power of Him who holds the power of death.

You're the one who freed all of us, who live in you, who were held in slavery by our own fear.

Lord Jesus, you disarmed the powers of darkness and you made a public spectacle of them at the cross.

How good you are.

You conquered evil through your death, through your resurrection, and you are the one who is able to rescue us from any evil attack. You are the one who guards us and protects us and holds us secure in your love.

God, we praise you that we have nothing to fear because you are the Lord of Light,

because you are in control, because you are all powerful, and nothing and no one and all of creation

can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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