Standing Strong in Spiritual Warfare for Our Family

I want to speak about spiritual warfare as I wrote a post yesterday about a spiritual attack I experienced, and last night a family member was woken around 12:30am by a night terror in their sleep. This ongoing battle reminds me of The Warfare in Our Worship. For personal protection against spiritual warfare, you can also read my previous story Guard Your Spirit: 5 Types of People You Need to Watch.

We are living in a time of intense spiritual battle, a conflict that has always existed but is becoming more apparent as attacks on families and the very understanding of what it means to be human increase. As St. Paul reminds us, our struggle is not against people but against unseen spiritual forces. While the wider culture debates rage on, for Christians, this is a deeply spiritual fight. Sadly, as society moves away from its Christian foundation, a vacuum is created that evil eagerly fills. The church has grown complacent, often limiting worship to Sundays and neglecting daily spiritual practices. By abandoning disciplines like the Daily Office, we have weakened our spiritual strength, and it is no surprise that as our defenses falter, darkness seems to gain ground.

One of the most powerful tools we have is the Daily Office—a regular pattern of prayer, Scripture reading, and intercession that unites us as a community of faith. This practice strengthens us both individually and collectively, offering a refuge of prayer in difficult times. We must ask ourselves when the church will restore the Daily Office as a vital part of our lives and when the people will call for daily prayer and Scripture in their parishes. Returning to this ancient practice could be the spiritual fortress we desperately need.

Though the battle is fierce and it may feel like we are losing ground, the ultimate victory is certain. The Bible assures us that evil will not triumph. But while we remain in this world, we must actively defend ourselves and our communities. In the Middle Ages, monasteries were beacons of prayer and learning amid chaos. Anglicanism has brought that monastic spirit into the church through the Daily Office. We should revive this light in our churches, shining so brightly that darkness cannot endure in its presence.

Another important spiritual practice is the procession—publicly marching behind the cross and lifting the Gospel high. These visible acts of faith proclaim our beliefs to the world and bring prayer into public life. The Great Litany, prayed during these processions, covers the needs of the church, the world, and our leaders, making it a powerful spiritual weapon. Imagine the impact of priests and parishioners processing through towns, boldly declaring the truth of Christ. Such acts can draw the lost to the light and remind the world of the power of prayer and faith.

Spiritual warfare is real and affects our lives deeply—even in the quiet hours of the night, as I recently experienced with a family member’s night terror. But through prayer, liturgy, and bold witness, we can stand firm, protect our families, and be a light in the darkness. Let us commit to strengthening our spiritual lives daily, reclaiming the ancient practices that have sustained the church for centuries, and boldly taking the fight to the world with faith and prayer.

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A Prayer for Protection

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who art the giver of all good gifts, look mercifully upon Thy family, and grant us Thy protection and peace. Defend us from all evil, visible and invisible, and keep us safe under the shadow of Thy wings. Strengthen our faith, that we may stand firm against the powers of darkness, and fill our hearts with Thy Holy Spirit. Bless our homes and all who dwell within them; guard us through the night and deliver us from all harm. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.