Dear Dad–Terror in the Night

Do you remember those nights back when I was 9 an I was having nightmares? We had watched an episode of CSi that really freaked me out. And so, when it was time for me to go to bed, you would come into my room, sit down on the floor next to my bed, an pray for me as I drifted off to sleep. I remember there being such comfort and peace knowing that you were watching over me. I remember feeling protected and loved.
And looking back I can see how you demonstrated how The Lord loves me. You demonstrated so clearly how well The Lord protects His children–even in the middle of the night.

The lesson you taught me when I was little is helping me now as I’m on the Race. You see, there’s been a lot of spiritual activity going on in the night in each country I’ve been so far.
-In Cambodia, there was a spirit that would wake me from my slumber while I slept in the building. I only caught glimpses of the shadow. But he was there. And he was real. I only found rest when we were in Siem Reap on the weekends.
-In Thailand, I was oppressed by some sorts of spirit during the night. I would wake up in the middle of prayers for people or over different situations. There were even a few nights that I was wrestling with the enemy.
-In Vietnam, I found rest. Buy there was a night I woke up freaking out that there was something in the room with me–watching me and trying to do evil.
-In Uganda, the very first night I woke up in a complete panic attack. I felt like I couldn’t move, and it was very hard p breathe. There are still many spirits that are entering our room while we sleep. (Things got much better as the month went on…we all got pretty good sleep.)

But Dad, even in all this, I am seeing the Lord’s protection over me and my team. There’s a terror in the night. But my God is greater. My God is stronger. An there is deliverance in His name.
Every time I encounter this terror in the night, I am reminded that the battle I am fighting is not physical. But it’s spiritual.

The enemy is constantly attacking.
But God is constantly on my side. He is fighting on my behalf. He sends his angels to guard me and uphold me.

And what’s cool is that I think The Lord is still answering those prayer you prayed over me when I was 9 and was having nightmares. Even now He’s protecting me from the enemy while I sleep.

But He’s not just protecting me, but He’s giving gifts while I sleep. He’s filling me with dreams–dreams that I can’t always remember, but dreams. He’s filling me with hope and joy to keep fighting this fight. Praise Him!

O Dad, I miss you. I miss the strength in your hug. And the safety I felt in it. But the memory of those hugs sometimes keeps me moving forward.

I’m so thankful for those prayers you prayed over me and for me. Your legacy keeps living on.