The Ghosts of Christmas Past
For many people, Christmas is not a celebration, it's a war zone. Here is a prayer that will help.
This email is from the archives. It is an annual holiday tradition, since 2012.
For many people, Christmas is not a celebration, it's a war zone.
When you were born, there was something about you that was designed to release something unique in the heart of God. You were born to be a God bearer in the earth.
So, at your birth, a war ensued. Satan's primary weapon to undermine God's plan for your life is pain and trauma. Trauma can distort your identity, and if the enemy succeeds, he can keep you from being a threat to him for life. Trauma is one of the primary ways that creativity is killed.
If this is true about you, imagine the battle that occured at the birth of Jesus. Satan tried everything to prevent the Son of God from manifesting Heaven on Earth. And it is amazing how much trauma is inflicted every year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
If the enemy can't distract you from the reason for Christmas, then he will make Christmas a time so painful that you will hate it, avoid it, or deny it.
The truth is, any spirit that diminishes that Jesus came as a human being is the spirit of anti-Christ. And that spirit is on the rise today.
The incarnation is EVERYTHING.
If Christmas is a time of dread or pain for you, I invite you to pray this prayer (out loud).
Father God, I thank you that you delighted in the world so much that you gave us your Son, Jesus Christ.
As the celebration of this gift approaches, I acknowledge that it has been a time of stress, pain, and disappointment in the past.
In Jesus' name I forgive those who may have hurt me at Christmas. I forgive everyone who disappointed me, or allowed their pain to impact my life. I forgive those who died or were sick at Christmas. (Pause, and if the Lord shows you something specific, forgive those persons.)
I forgive myself for any way that I responded to these hurts through addiction, accusation, anxiety, or anger.
I renounce every lie that I believe that I can try to make it better through my performance. I especially let go of my expectations and any attempt to be perfect during this time.
Lord, I release You from any way that I have held you responsible for the pain of the past. And I also release you from "Why did God allow this to happen to me?"
In Jesus name I command all the powers of darkness that have used Christmas to cause me or my family trauma to leave now. The Bible says that if we resist the devil he must flee. I especially command worry, fear, grief, regret, and confusion to leave me now. We also command the spirits of anti-Christ to depart from my life and the lives those I love.
Lord heal my memories, restore the places in my brain where I have been wired to expect pain this time of year. Heal my five senses so that I will not be triggered by others, but only receive the things you want me to see, feel, smell, taste, and hear.
I thank you that I will walk in love, joy, and peace this Christmas. Holy Spirit come and envelop my family with your righteousness, peace, and joy. Send angels to cover us with the blessing zone over Belonging House this Christmas. Let us join in their song of peace on earth, good will toward all.
Thank you Lord for your miracles this Christmas and throughout the holiday season. All this I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
The Artists at a Shift in Time audiobook is live, and will be $5.55 for the next two weeks.
You can listen to a sample here. It is available wherever audio books are sold.
https://open.spotify.com/show/7mgmIjGLa9y03hVJ9REAcv?si=c5852254a63e4f5d
If you live in the United States, the print book is $20 for those who get my Friday email. You can buy unlimited copies at this link. https://tinyurl.com/3etazb6s
If you lead a group of artists, I am offering a case discount on books from now until November 30. You have to order 10, and the cases are $150 plus shipping and tax. If you are outside the US, contact me for a similar price in your currency. You are getting the books wholesale, and I am making nothing. It's okay.
Join us for prayer and worship.
