Confession : Exorcism Of The Soul

They call confession exorcism of the soul. And it literally is. Exorcists hv found that confession is one of the most important steps to get rid of a demon.

Psychologically one could say that confession makes one face one's faults, weaknesses or mistakes. And thus take the first step towards recovery.

But so many saint priests like Padre Pio and St John Vianney took confession very seriously. They used to hear confessions from 13 to 17 hours a day. And ppl would queue for hours. The priests hardly stopped to eat or drink. There were reports of casting out of demons during confessions. Ppl said they heard animal growls etc inside the confessional.

If you read about the lives of Padre Pio and St John Vianney, your hair would stand on end. Padre Pio was constantly beaten up ... but nobody could see the attackers. St John Vianney too reported being dragged about by his feet and was persecuted by very loud noises, his bed was shaken violently... the poor man had little peace.

I used to wonder about this... about the power of confession... until one early morning experience I will never forget.

I was at 6am mass at Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Sacred Heart Cathedral. I came too late to get a seat so I stood at the back together with other ppl. We all stood with our backs against the walls and doors of the two confessionals at the back. Praying like normal.

Then... during the Eucharistic liturgy... all of a sudden, a loud vibrating slam shook the glass walls and wooden doors of the confessionals. The whole row of shocked people jumped a step forward.

I was standing in front of the glass section. When I looked back, I half expected the glass to be broken because it was as if someone big inside the confessional had bodyslammed the wall.  But there was nobody inside the confessional. The whole row of people was very quiet. We went for communion and didnt say anything at all. But we looked at each other.

Till today I wonder who went for confession early that morning.  Was anything exorcised out of him or her? The slam took place at the Transubstantiation of Christ at the altar. The very moment bread and wine were transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.

Miracle Prayers

A friend (who I have never met!) gave me some prayers over Facebook one day and said that recited daily, the prayers would help me.  I read through them and found them pretty sound.  And started using them in my daily prayers.

And YES THEY ARE TRULY MIRACLE PRAYERS.  I will blog my experiences later but here are the prayers for all to use.

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The Miracle Prayers

Prayer To Apply the Blood of Jesus

I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord over my life – spirit, soul and body. In the name of Jesus, Father I thank You for the benefits and the provision of the Blood of Jesus. I cover my spirit, soul, mind, heart and body with the blood of Jesus. I cover my past, present and future in the precious blood of Jesus. Father, by the blood of Jesus, let every physical and spiritual burden on my life and shoulders be lifted now in Jesus' name. I apply the blood of Jesus upon my body – from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I cover my thoughts, words, dreams, and actions with the blood of Jesus. I cover every desire of my heart with the precious blood of Jesus. I cover every conversation of mine whether on phone, in person, on chat, sms and emails with the precious blood of Jesus. I cover all my relationships with the blood of Jesus. I cover (name all your immediate family members – i.e. your father, mother, etc) with the blood of Jesus. I cover my marriage with the blood of Jesus (If you are married) I cover all my vehicles (if you have any) with the blood of Jesus I cover all those connected with me with the blood of Jesus. I apply the blood of Jesus all over my house and upon each and everything in my house. I cover the surroundings of my house with the blood of Jesus. I cover all the vehicles and every mode of transport that I and my family will be travelling today with the blood of Jesus. I cover all our travel plans with the blood of Jesus. Father, in the name of Jesus, I cover all my finances and possessions with the blood of Jesus. I apply the blood of Jesus on all that belongs to me, and on all over which You have made me responsible. I cover all my clothes and everything that I will wear and use with the precious blood of Jesus. I cover all my food, water and drink and everything that I will consume today with the precious blood of Jesus. I cover my (business, job, studies, ministry of Jesus, etc – choose what applies to you) with the blood of Jesus. Let every door that I have ever opened to demonic powers be closed; be sealed forever with the blood of Jesus. 

Amen.

Prayer Before Reading The Bible

Loving Heavenly Father, Pour out Your Spirit upon me and make Your Word known to me. Please speak to me through Your Word today. Open my eyes to see the truth of Your Word as You meant it to be. Grant me Your wisdom to understand all that You want me to understand about this matter. Let Your Word be the joy of my heart and the light to my feet. Give me the strength to build my life on Your Word. Take away all hindrances and bondages that would in any way prevent Your Word from bearing fruit in my life. Let it be done to me according to Your Word. Teach me O Lord the way of Your will and I will observe it.

Speak Lord, Your servant is listening. In Jesus' name, I pray. 

Amen.

Prayer of Salvation

Dear Lord Jesus, I bow before You to acknowledge You as my Lord and Saviour. I humble my heart before You. I believe You are the Son of God. You died for my sins. You were buried and God the Fa- ther raised You from the dead. I am sorry for all the things I have done to hurt You. Have mercy on me. Forgive all my sins. Come into my heart and take total charge over every area of my life.

I renounce all activities and beliefs which are contrary to Your Word (the Bible). I will from this day onwards follow You, Lord Jesus. Cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Fill me and seal me with Your Holy Spirit. I am a new creation. Old things have passed away; now all things have become new in Jesus' name. 

Amen

Prayer of Healing

Loving and Compassionate Jesus, Surely You have borne my griefs and carried my sorrows; Yet I esteemed You stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But You were wounded for my transgressions, You were bruised for my iniquities; the punishment that brought me peace was upon You, and by Your wounds I am healed. I fully believe that it is Your will for me to be healed. According to Your Word, "heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved."

Lord, Your Word also says "You will strengthen the person who looks upon You on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed." So now according to Your Word, be merciful to me, strengthen and sustain me. Lord Jesus, when You physically walked this earth, You healed every single sick and deceased person that came to You. Please listen to my cry and heal me. Lord Jesus, wash me in Your precious blood. Please forgive all my sins that block Your healing power from touching me. I forgive all those who have hurt me or rejected me in any way. Come into my heart Lord Jesus. I claim the healing and now by faith I thank You for this healing. 

Amen.

Prayer To Break Generational Curses

In the name of Jesus Christ and the Blood of Jesus Christ, I break every form of generational curse that dates back to four generations in my family that is hindering me from entering the purpose of God for my life. Every evil pronouncement made over my life and fami- ly bloodline be cancelled in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. I believe and confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is good for He has redeemed me and my family members from the curse of the law having become a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is he who hangs on a tree. Now the blessing of Abraham is upon me and my family members in Christ Jesus. I and my family are no longer un- der the law but under grace, hence sin shall not have dominion over us. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Prayer Against Fear

In the name of Jesus, I declare that God has not given me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced sound mind, discipline and self-control. I declare that the Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side and takes my part. He is among those who help me; therefore shall I see Your desire established upon my enemies who hate me. If God is for me, who can be against me? Who can be my foe, if God is on my side? I take comfort and am encouraged and confidently and boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be seized with alarm. I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me?" The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the refuge and stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? Even though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though wars arise against me, even then, in this, will I be confident in my God.

Father, I thank You that I have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Your own dear Son Jesus. I thank You Father that Your perfect love drives out all fear and torment. I choose to think on and fix my mind upon those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and deserving of praise. My mind is stayed on You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast down every lying deceptive thought and imagination, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of You, Lord. I capture every thought and make it obey the Lord Jesus Christ. I resist all fear, in the name of Jesus Christ. I apply the Blood of Jesus on my mind and soul. Fear, you bow to the name of Jesus! You are a defeated foe. You have no more dominion over me.

I am free, in the name of Jesus. I am rooted and grounded securely in God's love, in the mighty name of Jesus. God's perfect love drives out all fear, in Jesus' name. Father, I pray and believe that Your peace which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. I thank You Lord that the angels who are my ministering spirits are hearkening to the voice of Your Word right now and enforcing the breakthrough and the victory for me.

Hallelujah! The victory is mine! I give You Lord all of the praise and glory for setting me free! Amen.

House Dedication Prayer

By the blood and in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, I bind all evil and darkness that is in this room and command it to go right now under the feet of Jesus. "For all things are under the feet of Jesus." I claim by faith that this room is covered under the blood of Jesus Christ and no evil can enter it. (Prayin every room of the house.)

After going through every room in the house, pray:

I dedicate and consecrate this home to the Lord Jesus Christ. I declare satan has no hold on it. I surrender everything in this house to the Lord Jesus Christ and claim it under His protection.

In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, I bind every evil and darkness that is in this house and against this house. I command it to go under the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I claim by faith that everything in this house is covered under the blood of Jesus Christ from the top of the roof to the bottom of the footing and everything in between. I claim by faith that this house is surrounded by two walls of fire, and covered under the blood of Jesus Christ. Lord, I pray that you send Your Holy Angels to come and protect this house and everyone inside. Thank You for the complete victory we already have in Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

My Very Own Prayer Booklet!

After years of carrying around various prayer booklets (because I liked two prayers in one, three in another and one in yet another), I suddenly had an idea...why don't I make my own prayer booklet?

I mean, I've been making booklets for various purposes at work...why not for my own use?

And so I got down to work.

And this is the result...I'm very happy with it.  My handbag's so much lighter now.  The best thing is...I can change it any time I want.

Prayer booklet in MS Publisher format

http://www.mediafire.com/view/6nlq3d9ih50wahh/Prayer_Booklet_14_May_2014.pub

Prayer booklet in PDF (single page format, portrait)
http://www.mediafire.com/view/p7y3u16kd34jnp9/Prayer_Booklet_Single_Page_Format_14_May_2014.pdf

Prayer booklet in PDF (side fold, double page, landscape, running pages)
http://www.mediafire.com/view/u3ct5s69n2bdgpw/Prayer_Booklet_Side_Fold_Running_Pages_14_May_2014.pdf

Contents:

St Michael the Archangel prayer                                           

Saints’ Quotations on Prayer                                                          

How To Pray The Rosary                                                   

Mysteries of the Rosary                                                      

Prayers of the Rosary                                                          

Marian Consecration Prayer                                                   
Prayer to the Two Hearts 
Double Great Novena 

The 15 Prayers of St Bridget                                             

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy 

Other Prayers

Prayer of St Gertrude 

Prayer to St Joseph 

The Miracle Prayers

-Prayer To Apply The Blood of Christ 

-Prayer Before Reading the Bible

-Prayer For Salvation 

-Prayer of Healing 

-Prayer To Break Generational Curses 

-Prayer Against Fear 

-House Dedication Prayer 

Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood 

Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ 

Consecration to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ

Prayers in Latin 

Aspirations (Short Prayers)

Sacramentals 

Five Crowns Promised by God 

Armour of God 

Spiritual Communion 

Keys to Heaven 

Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)

Indulgences 

Original St Michael the Archangel Prayer 

Angel of God Prayer 

Hunting for Scapulars

First, a quick intro to the Brown Scapular.

The scapular is a small piece of cloth that is a part of the Carmelite Order, a religious community. Those who wear the scapular are sharing in the order's special devotion to the Mother of Christ. They who wear the scapular in a spirit of true devotion and love have a special claim to Mary's intercession and protection.

On the surface, some people may think scapulars are superstitious "good luck charms" that guarantee our entrance into heaven. They do not. Only living in a state of grace will guarantee us eternal salvation. However, scapulars are a special gift from God by which we attain protective graces.

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock in the year 1251. She promised that all who wear the brown scapular "shall not suffer eternal fire; if wearing it when they die, they shall be saved." This assumes, of course, that one does not deliberately lead a sinful life and make a mockery of God's law.

For me, the brown scapular has been a constant source of comfort.  I also believe that when I wear it, I am showing our blessed Mother my faith in Her intercession.

All these years, I've been buying countless pieces of scapulars.  Where I live, the pieces sold are of poor quality.  They fall apart so easily.  The cords are thin and the images on the felt pieces look weird.  One friend even said it reminded him of Chucky.  Brrrr.

This scapular is a better-looking version compared to the ones I can buy in my hometown. 

I tried searching in religious shops for better-looking and more durable scapulars.  Finally I gave up.  Today I ventured online and what a treasure trove of scapulars have I found.  Here are some of the available scapulars... gorgeous!

 The Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel
(the traditional scapular)

 The Scapular of Mount Carmel

 The Divine Mercy Scapular

 The Red Passion Scapular

 

Children's Scapular

 The Crusader Scapular

For more information about the Brown Scapular, read 'Garment of Grace'.

P/S : I have found an absolutely wonderful supplier of scapulars at Rosescapular.net.  I've been buying from them and shipments are prompt.  Requests via email have been handled well (and I've even made friends!).  The scapulars are also of good quality (I'm super satisfied!).  My favourites are the Mount of Carmel scapulars, the St Michael scapular, the Crusader Scapular and the Trinity Scapular.  Friends have been reporting that the scapulars have helped them a lot.  Some have reported better sleep (they had been troubled with restless dreams or nightmares... even actual disturbances in their rooms.).

The Divine Mercy Chaplet In Action!

My sister is attending a course that may decide her future... but it all depends on her performance in four assessments.  Truth be told, she didn't fare very well in her interview.  Especially in the part where she was supposed to show how she'd sell certain products.  I found this very perplexing as my sister has the so-called gift of the gab.  She can talk and talk and talk.  Plus she'd sold software for an ICT company and also homes for a property developer.  It didn't make sense that she couldn't even do a demo on selling a product.  Interview nervousness?  Perhaps.

Anyway, I asked my mum to tell me the times of her assessments.  The first one was yesterday (Friday).  During the time of her assessment, I was in a car and did one cycle of the Chaplet.  Well, at least that was what I planned to do.  I planned to do a cycle as I picked my little niece up from playschool and brought her home.   The process was supposed to take only about 15 minutes.  However, traffic was extra bad and instead of 15 minutes, it took me more than an hour.  Somehow or other, I ended up doing uncounted cycles in the space of an hour plus.

Later when I called to check on her,  I heard that she did so well, she was held up as an example to the others.  She told me that she felt light and confident.  Unlike her experience during the interview.  By right, if she truly had a problem with nerves, she would've performed worse in front of an audience than in front of a single interviewer. 

I firmly believe that the chaplet helped in keeping her mind clear and her delivery focused.  She's got three more assessments to get through. So I will be doing the chaplet again.

Some may scoff and shake their heads... but please don't do it in front of me.  For I will pity your lack of faith in God.  Well, who knows... if I pity you enough, I'll add you to my list of people to pray for.  LOL.  That can be scary.

Let me explain why I use the word 'scary'.

Previously I mentioned a friend who had a problem with a jealous colleague.  Well, let me tell you the ending to that story.  Over months, that colleague tried to undermine the bosses' belief in her integrity and performance in the office.  She actually fell ill under all the stress and tension.  She suspected him of being the one behind a poison letter that led to an investigation of her office.  All the while, another friend had been counselling her to 'radiate loving kindness.'  In the beginning, she would just shake her head and say,"I can't.  I just can't."  But towards the end, she just caved in under all the pain and just offered all her sufferings up to God.  Let it be.  Thy will be done.  AND she began praying the Divine Mercy chaplet for that colleague.  I was so happy that she had made the journey from anger to forgiveness. 

And you know what?  The man fell sick.  The day she began praying for him, he fell ill and took three days off. 

Well, she was only human, so she doubled her prayers for him.  LOL.

After that, things turned around for her in the office.  The people who supported this man began deserting him.  The investigation turned up many great things that made her star shine even more, while it made him and his cronies look execrably bad.  He was so busy plotting that he neglected to do his job properly.  Stupid man.  Didn't he realise that a poison pen letter would spark off an investigation?  Now he just sits in the office, more alone than ever and gives her perplexed looks.
What I found interesting was that in the beginning, when he was using magic and she responded with prayers, he was informed by his witch doctor that her witch doctor was really powerful.  That was when he stepped up the hostilities.  HOWEVER, the only 'witch doctor' she had was God.

How did she know all this, you may ask?  Well, when rats abandon a sinking ship, they open their mouths really wide.

What I learned from her sharing is that when we call upon God to help us, He responds.  Otherwise what 'presence' was that, that the witch doctor detected??

The further I go on this journey, the more evidence I uncover about how much God loves us and wants to protect us.  So when I come upon a person who questions the existence of God, I really feel sad at the lack of glory in his or her life.

E, S, Z : As I type this, my chest is hurting.

My Experience With The Divine Mercy Chaplet

I'd known about the Divine Mercy Chaplet for a while now... and most especially after Bro. Stanley Villavicencio's visit but I never really put it into practice until recently.

A month ago, an old friend (a member of the local Divine Mercy Apostolate) sent a strange sms.  Without any preliminaries whatsoever, she asked me to please do a 9-day Divine Mercy novena at 3 a.m. and the 3 o'clock prayer & chaplet if possible.  She urged me to get my whole family (also my sister-in-law's family) to do it.  She specified praying for the breaking of ancestral bondage, conversion of family members, spiritual and physical healing of every member of our families.

My reaction was 'Wow.'  It seemed a bit strong.  I looked around me.. things seemed okay at home.  Well, one family member was facing a bit of a hard time at work and in her personal life.

So, at first, I didn't start straightaway.  A day later, I began.  I already had this Virtual Chaplet tool on my notebook so it wasn't a difficult thing to do.  Then when I mentioned this to my relative, she told me that she had issues with God & religion.  I also felt as if she had a spirit of failure hanging onto her life.  Nothing in her life seemed to be working or improving.  So I recommended that she go for confession.  But she didn't look enthusiastic.

By the third day of my novena (this relative didn't know I was doing it), she suddenly mentioned that she wanted to go for confession.  Oh joy!  I was so happy!  So far she hasn't gone yet but at least the thought had come to her. 

Strangely on the ninth day of my novena, I woke up around midnight and couldn't go to sleep.  So I read a book until 3 a.m.  When I realised the time, I remembered how The Lord Jesus promised St Faustina Kowalska regarding the time 3 o'clock :  "In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world – mercy triumphed over justice" (Diary, 1572) 

I thought that there was a reason I couldn't sleep till 3 a.m. for I didn't have the intention to stay awake till then.  And so I finished my novena at 3 a.m. on the ninth day.

By then, I had gotten used to the chaplet.  It is remarkably soothing and comforting to recite.  The Divine Mercy Chaplet audio I had is also very beautiful to listen to.  The very next day, some trouble resurfaced in that relative's life.  So I decided to do another novena.  I am now in the fifth day of that second novena and I am beginning to truly believe that there is a unseen struggle going on in that relative's life.   Yesterday, I made the resolution to take her for confession at 3pm.  But just as she walked in through the gates at 2.50p.m., a headache I'd been nursing spiked so badly I could barely walk.  I took a pill and went to sleep.  By the time I awoke at 6p.m., the time for confession was past.

I will continue saying this chaplet for her sake until she goes for confession.  I truly believe that confession is exorcism of the soul.  May God grant my wish.

Latest Update :
Today is 10 Feb 2011.  I finished the second novena..at EXACTLY 3pm.  And this wasn't by design.  So that makes the second novena that finished at that special hour.  Coincidence?  Well, I stopped believing in coincidences about two years ago.  AND today is also the day I got some insight into the possible source of this relative's problems. 

So I am starting another novena.  I will do this until she is back on her feet.  They say that persistence gets prayers answered :)

I'm getting questions answered too... as I move from novena to novena.

Revelations Revelations Revelations

Just an hour into surfing the net, I found myself with almost twenty opened tabs of different revelations.  This also included their supporters and detractors.  I even found a list of 'true' and 'false' private revelations compiled by Ron Conte, the administrator of the Catholic Planet forum. Ron Conte lists Stanley Villavicencio (who I have blogged about) as false.

Most confusing.  And frustrating.

But why am I so surprised? 

Matthew 7:15 (King James Version)¹⁵Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 24:11 (KJV)
¹¹And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

1 Timothy 4 (KJV)
¹Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

So now what am I to do?  What am I to believe in?  WHO am I to believe in?

The answer is very simple.  Ask a question and answer it..LOL.I will believe in God.

He speaks to us all and has been speaking to us all via his prophets... His words are all in the Bible. Not that I will confine myself purely to the Bible.

Difficult to verbalise... but most reasonable people will know what to do.  If I come across any claims of private revelation, I will consider what is said very carefully.  And I will also consider its effect on me.

Back to Stanley Villavicencio.  He was asked how to tell a false prophet from a true one.  He replied,"By the fruits."  I like that answer very much.  If the effect of a revelation on me is of fervent piety and more attention to my spiritual life, then I will focus on the effect.  People can say whatever they want...what matters is our reaction to it.

Sometimes we need to make our own decisions.  After all, jewels come from the darkest of places.  Didn't 'Amazing Grace' come from a convict?

The Armour of God

Reading about the armour of God (see link above), I realized I had one huge chink in mine.  My knowledge of the Bible was rudimentary, at best.  I'd always treated my bible as a story book, to be read but not to be deeply analyzed.

I have some major fixing to do...