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Friday, November 20, 2015

5 Ways to Wage Spiritual Warfare against ISIS

This is a battle against evil—we know what to do
In the face of such strong attacks by the enemies of the Church of God, are we to remain inactive? Is that all we can do, complain and cry? No! Every one of us has a holy obligation to build a trench and personally hurl back the assaults of the enemy.

—St. Maximilian Kolbe

When I heard the news about the ISIS attack in Paris, I felt numb and scared. The Paris attacks, the bombing in Beirut, the earthquake in Japan. It all created a vortex of silence in the world, a heartwrenching pause in the world’s affairs in which all that could be heard was the wails of suffering people.

So many people have eloquently and forcefully responded to this news. But Pope Francis’ response caught my attention. He said these attacks are “not human.” This reminded me that more than a battle against ISIS,this is a battle against evil.

So, how can we respond? Calls for peace are meaningless if it is not joined with the power of prayer. Evil must be combated. With prayer andsometimes with force.

If you want to join in the cosmic battle that is raging, here are some suggestions from Jesus and the saints:

1. Give Alms

Where alms are, the devil dares not approach, nor any other evil thing.—St. John Chrysostom

Spiritual warfare involves not just prayer but action. We can help the people who are suffering at the hands of ISIS.

Catholic organizations providing aid in areas where ISIS is active:
Aid to the Church in Need
Catholic Relief Services
List of several other organizations active in the area

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that we need to send Planned Parenthood, too.

Anonymous said...

Taint all goods and foreign aid with swine remnants!