The Enemy Does Not Take a Day Off

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:12

In preparation for this trip I prayed occasionally against the spiritual darkness that I would encounter in Thailand. I did my best in praying, but this last week has one word to summarize it: BATTLE

It started on Monday; it was my boyfriend and Mom's birthday. Throughout the day I struggled to keep my focus from wanting to celebrate in America, to being in Thailand with massive amounts of people, yet utterly lonely in my heart. I stepped out onto Bangla Road and confessed out loud to God, "Lord, forgive me for wanting my will above yours. Lord, let me walk in your will tonight. It is an honor that you placed me here to love your creation." That night on Bangla, I showed love to countless people. 

Tuesday was filled with anxiety and unrest, physically and spiritually, over the Lord asking me to surrender control. He said, "In the quiet moments I will speak to you, in the little things that you give me authority of, I will do big and mighty things. Autumn, you can rest, because I have it all under control." I gave him control and in return I finally received the peace I was searching for. 

Wednesday I was afflicted with stomach issues after dinner. I laid in bed to rest while my team left the house for a couple hours. As I was drifting to sleep, disturbing images started to form in my mind. In Jesus's name I told the enemy to flee. I then fell asleep peacefully. 

Thursday I stepped out onto Bangla Road, once again with the confession of not wanting to be there. It always smells terrible from the sewers, promoters are constantly shoving naked pictures of women into your face, it's loud, it's chaotic, it crowded, it's Bangla. This time I told my teammates, I'm just gonna pray tonight. I didn't just pray that night, I walked in the Spirit that night! I looked into people's eyes so deeply until they could feel the Father's Love for them. It was glorious!

Friday's intercession was irritating and lonely. I was frustrated and went straight to bed after debrief.

Saturday, "Ah, my day off!" I said to myself. Then God asked, "Didn't I tell you a couple days ago to not let your guard down on the weekend?" I snapped back at him, "It's the weekend! I'm not doing ministry, whatever!"
The entire day I refused to pray, I intentionally checked out from the Lord. Come evening, our team met up with World Racers (Adventure In Missions missionaries) and worshipped with them on the beach. When we gathered around for worship, my body began to turn on me. I had a splitting headache, nausea, my stomach was cramping and gripping inside of me. I asked my team members to pray over me, because I myself could not voice a prayer. Worship began and I could barely stand. I bent over to try and find some relief. I tried to sing, but the words would not come out. I finally had no choice, I laid down in the sand, covered my face and called on the LORD! My team leader came over and said, "Your heart is discerning the change going on in this group, pray for them." Another leader came over to me, laid her hands on my belly and prayed for me. I kept gasping for air. In the background my fellow AIM team members worshipped and sung out the lyrics: There is power in the name of Jesus

God gave me the strength and the words to push through the physical and spiritual barriers to pray fervently over the Racers. Through my weeping tears, I prayed for all the strong-holds to be broken, for repentances to be confessed, for forgiveness and healing to happen, for faith and trust to be in the Lord, peace and comfort to be felt.
"LORD, THEY NEED YOU! GOD YOUR ARMY IS RISING UP!"

I wept once again that night as I laid in bed. "God, I'm exhausted! I can't do this for two more months! I can't fight these battles any more. I am so tired… I'm so tired God." He gently responded, "Then stop fighting them. Why do you insist on fighting them yourself? Am I not powerful enough? Have I not already won the battle? Autumn, you know that I have conquered the enemy. Let me fight these battles for you." 

Okay, Jesus you've got this. I am your warrior, but you are the CONQUER! I trust you, I believe you, I need you!
Fight the battle!

"Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." 1 Peter 3:22 

So, the enemy doesn't take a day off, but neither does Jesus !!!!!