I woke up this morning reflecting on our world’s current events and my faith in God weighs the outcome on how I respond to these current events. The world’s troubles are always on my mind, like I’m sure it is for everyone. We are living in unsettling times. When I pray to God, I ask for peace and understanding. I pray for courage, strength, protection, healing, and stronger faith in my daily walk with Christ. I pray this for others as well. If it weren’t for my Christian Faith, I don’t believe I would have made it this far in life.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about how would I respond to the US elections outcome this coming November. Whatever the outcome, I pray for a peaceful transfer of power in our government and how our citizens and the world response. I pray that our government officials will truly care about the people’s welfare. These things have me thinking about spiritual warfare as well and how we as Christians should rest in God’s strength and stand on God’s promise, how important it is to know God’s word and to put on the full armor of God. When people come to know Christ as their Lord and savior, spiritual warfare can become intense. I’ve recently thought about books I’ve read on spiritual warfare. The Bible-of course-is number one.

As a reader, I love stories and I read many different genres. I believe it is important for people of Faith to read widely for many reasons. Some brothers and sisters in Christ may disagree with me on that score but I’m okay with that. God knows my heart and I firmly believe that reading widely makes us better people and as we expand our minds, we have a better understanding other people’s world views, struggles and situations in life. Reading enhances our critical thinking thus giving us the knowledge and the tools to help us in life with relationships to others. Anyhow, reading widely is another subject for another time.

Today, I want to share two books I read in the early 90’s and again in the late 90’s on spiritual warfare by Frank E. Peretti. I have my father’s paperback copies. Since they are early editions, and have become a bit fragile, I’m having handle them carefully. Though I believe they will still be okay to read in and may do so again soon. If you haven’t read them, whether you are a Christ follower or not, I highly recommend you read these books. They are prevalent to our humanity and our society as a whole.

Stephanie

This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti

First Published – January 1, 1986 by Crossway Books

Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople, and eventually the entire human race.

Piercing the Darkness by Frank E. Peretti

First published January 1, 1989

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 (ESV)

It all begins in Bacon’s Corner, a tiny farming community far from the interstate . . . An attempted murder, a case of mistaken-or is it covered up? -identity, and a ruthless lawsuit against a struggling Christian school. Sally Beth Roe, a young loner, a burnout, a kind of “leftover hippie, “finds herself caught in the middle of these bizarre events, fleeing for her life while trying to recall her dark past.

Across a vast panorama of heart-stopping action, Sally Roe’s journey is a penetrating portrayal of our times, a reflection of our wanderings, and a vivid reminder of the redemptive power of the Cross. A companion volume to This Present Darkness, readers have purchased over two million copies of Piercing the Darkness since its publication in 1989.

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The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)