Some of the most demonic times are experienced during the night. Especially around 3 am. The devil likes to play tricks with us when our guard is down when we are already disillusioned in our sleep state. Spiritual warfare during the night is something that I have grown in. It doesn’t surprise me that much anymore. Sometimes it is as real as “something” grabbing you during the night or a heavy weight on your chest that keeps you from breathing. Other times it is just a feeling of overwhelming fear, like something is watching you or is nearby that shouldn’t be.
Maybe it is because we are in the third world where witchcraft is commonly practiced or the fact that we are doing intense ministry but in my travels I have always encountered dark forces during the night. We have already had some here in Swazi. One night in the guys room, Landon was awaken by a dark voice speaking through the window. He woke the guys up and two of us, myself included, woke out of nightmares (I never have nightmares). We could feel the presence of fear all around us. Us five guys prayed for a while together and then went outside to pray over the girls hut. In the morning we found out that one of the girls, Kaci, had been awaken before we did with the feeling of intense fear and then heard something moving around outside walking and making loud noises. She later heard us wake up and pray. We prayed until we felt the presence of fear leave and peace come. Katie had a terrible nightmare that night that she hasn’t had in years. And then interesting enough Billy had a dream that Katie had a really bad dream and should ask her about it.
On Tuesday night we did a Night Watch. An all night time of prayer and worship as a team. It is a time meant to establish a presence of God during the night. To take authority and claim that evil has no dominion on our homestead during the night. When we invite the presence of God we invite prefect light and where there is light no darkness can hide.
Last night we were in Nsoko visiting a team of five from AIM that is here for 5 months. For the past week they have had terrible restless sleep. They have awakened to see dark figures hovering in their room or things grabbing them. We did a Night Watch last night on their behalf. Every hour during the night we had different people up praying for protection and for God’s presences. In the morning I talked with their team and they all said they slept great.
“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:12
Thankfully God has given us ALL authority over the evil powers (Luke 10:19). I take it personally when we are attacked. I get angry when an unwelcome intruder comes into my home. I will not stand for it. I fight back. I fight back with the awesome power of God that has been given to me through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus.
