Why do you not spend the evening in prayer, fighting "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." For we are "not fighting against flesh and blood".Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
My view is not a popular one, even in my own household, but this year, I will stand my ground, as much as I am able. I will not participate in this day's festivities (or any that happen just prior for the same purpose.) I do not care if my church has a "Harvest Festival" I will not attend that either, and I will NOT take my children to it. That's not to say that I think that the rationale and reasoning behind having one is a bad thing in itself. But I do not see a purpose in showing my children that they are somehow needful of a substitute for this day that has roots that are nothing but evil.
Do you know where the practice of "trick or treating" came from? It is from the ancient Celtic custom of Samhain (pronounce Som Ween) in which people would leave fruits and nuts and other goodies on their doorstep for their dearly departed relatives that were able to slip back through the veil of death on this day. However, if the dear ones were able to come back through, then so are a host of other not so nice "things". That is also where the custom of dressing up as evil and gory monsters came from. In order to hide themselves from the "ghouls and demons" people would dress up as them, so that they would perhaps blend in and not be noticed.
I ask you, do you see what this is? This is a spirit of fear, that we need not have. For one, no one comes back from Heaven trying to get back into their old homes! For two, why would you not use the gifts that God has told us to use to fight the hosts of Satan? He expressly instructs us to use prayer to fight against Satan and his minions. Then if you just add to all this the fact that it's really kind of idiotic to buy a bunch of goodies to give out at your house, while your children go out and beg it from other people. If you want your kids to have candy and goodies, just buy them for them and leave it at that. Save a step, a lot of money, and keep your children focusing on what is pure, right and of good report.
This is my prayer for this year. I will pray that my children learn that prayer on this day is warfare against principalities and that participation in any other manner should not be something they want to do.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV
I will pray that they are alert and self controlled.
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 NKJV
And I will pray that my husband stands with me on this, this year. This is not a criticism of him or of our church (which does hold a Harvest Festival as a type of outreach) but Halloween celebrations, to me are not something we need participate in, as others do. I pray that if you had plans to partipate that you will also give yourselves over to prayer and rethinking the idea. Won't you join with me in prayer for the souls in jeopardy on this day.
--Lord, today I pray against the powers of darkness that will come out in full force on this day, and on all the other days. I pray for strength in my convictions, and I pray for my household and all the other Christ filled households that think that dabbling in this practice can be anything other than dabbling in demonic presence. I pray for the wisdom to broach this subject with all I come into contact with. I pray these things in Jesus Holy Name. Amen.
There is no MORE to this post.
