Can the devil use dreams

[Dorothea]

No telling us what you dreamed about in high school, Dot. This is a family show!

 

[Dorothea]

I also believe that the devil can use our dreams. I know that when I was going through a period where I was having nightmares every night that my priest told me to drink some holy water before going to bed. My present priest is a big advocate of doing the prayer in the Evening prayer rule where you bless your bed with a cross while saying the prayer that accompanies it. He believes that this helps keep away the nightmares.

I need to try those. Have the holy water, but don't have that prayer. Could you post it or PM me the prayer? I'd like to have it to pray before I sleep. Thanks, Katherine.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Not to be flippant at all, but I wonder if it is a bit like vampires - to take up residence you have to invite them in. You don't necessarily now that you are inviting them, and they can trick you, but an invitation is required.

yeah, I kinda thought it like that, or like Regan inviting Pazuzu in via a Oujia Board in the movie the Exorcist. she didn't know what she was dealing with, and unwittingly invited the demon in.

 

[Dorothea]

yeah, I kinda thought it like that, or like Regan inviting Pazuzu in via a Oujia Board in the movie the Exorcist. she didn't know what she was dealing with, and unwittingly invited the demon in.

Well, I don't know if that fits my case exactly in my late teens and early 20's, but I sure wasn't aware I was doing anything wrong because I wasn't taught what was right and wrong from a biblical or Godly perspective. And I wasn't told anything was wrong with what I was doing, so that didn't help. I'm guessing mom didn't know the Orthodox faith she grew up in very well and dad wasn't a practicing Christian, just lived life as he believed to be right. So, I didn't know many things that are considered sinful behavior through the Church. Unfortunate, seeing how years and years later, I'm still battling the sins of my youth and my mind feels like some unclean, horrid place a lot of the times. Scares me. I at least have gotten to the point where I recognize the suggestions and temptations right after or about 20 seconds into the thoughts and reprimand myself and do the Jesus Prayer, but sometimes it's quite difficult. Ugh.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Well, I don't know if that fits my case exactly in my late teens and early 20's, but I sure wasn't aware I was doing anything wrong because I wasn't taught what was right and wrong from a biblical or Godly perspective. And I wasn't told anything was wrong with what I was doing, so that didn't help. I'm guessing mom didn't know the Orthodox faith she grew up in very well and dad wasn't a practicing Christian, just lived life as he believed to be right. So, I didn't know many things that are considered sinful behavior through the Church. Unfortunate, seeing how years and years later, I'm still battling the sins of my youth and my mind feels like some unclean, horrid place a lot of the times. Scares me. I at least have gotten to the point where I recognize the suggestions and temptations right after or about 20 seconds into the thoughts and reprimand myself and do the Jesus Prayer, but sometimes it's quite difficult. Ugh.

oh I was not talking about you, I was just running with what MKJ said. sorry for any confusion.

 

[Dorothea]

oh I was not talking about you, I was just running with what MKJ said. sorry for any confusion.

np. Forgive me for being so self-absorbed, I thought it was about me.

 

[ArmyMatt]

np. Forgive me for being so self-absorbed, I thought it was about me.

no worries Dot, tis one of the glories of a net forum....the awesome ability to either be unclear or to misread stuff. it be all good.

 

[Dorothea]

no worries Dot, tis one of the glories of a net forum....the awesome ability to either be unclear or to misread stuff. it be all good.

 

[MariaRegina]

Divine Prayers and Services, compiled and arranged by the Late Reverend Seraphim Nassar, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, 1993, p. 89.

I am breaking this powerful prayer into smaller paragraphs. This red hardbound book is also lovingly referred to as the Five Pounder by chanters and readers.

Little Compline

And now as we lay us down to sleep,
O Master, grant us repose both of body and of soul,
and keep us from the dark sleep of sin
and from the sensuous pleasure of the dark passions of the night.

Still thou the assaults of passion;
quench the fiery darts of the wicked one
which are thrown insidiously at us;
calm the commotions of our flesh and put away
all earthly and material thoughts as we sleep.

And grant us, O God, a watchful mind, chaste thoughts,
a sober heart, and a gentle sleep, free from all the fantasies of Satan.

And raise us up again at the hour of prayer,
established in Thy Commandments and
holding steadfast within ourselves the remembrance of Thy judgments.

Give us the words of Thy glorification, all night long,
that we may praise, bless, and glorify Thy most honourable
and magnificent Name, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and always and for ever and ever. Amen .

O most glorious one, O ever-virgin, O blessed Theotokos,
commend our prayer to Thy Son, our God, and
entreat Him to save our souls through Thee.

The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge;
the Holy Spirit is my shelter.

O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.

All my hope I place in thee, O Theotokos,
keep me under the wing of thy care.

However, this holy prayer is not found in the red paperback prayerbook put out by the Antiochians, and that is a shame as this prayer is so powerful and effective. Now that we have been praying it before falling asleep, my husband no longer has terrifying dreams.

 

[ArmyMatt]

However, this holy prayer is not found in the red paperback prayerbook put out by the Antiochians, and that is a shame as this prayer is so powerful and effective. Now that we have been praying it before falling asleep, my husband no longer has terrifying dreams.

I heard folks say that prayer and they will sleep with an icon near their pillow. it does work.

 

[Moriah Ruth 777]

Hi to all,

I'm not Orthodox, however I have enjoyed reading all the responses to the posting. I myself believe that God can speak to us through dreams. Also I believe that Satan can give us bad dreams and nightmares to torment us. There is dreams that come from God, dreams that come from Satan and dreams that come from our ownselves. I liked the prayer that was shared by MariaRegina. Many blessings to all.

Moriah Ruth

 

[MariaRegina]

We have three icons above our bed facing East.

I heard folks say that prayer and they will sleep with an icon near their pillow. it does work.

Divine Prayers and Services, compiled and arranged by the Late Reverend Seraphim Nassar, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, 1993, p. 89.

I am breaking this powerful prayer into smaller paragraphs. This red hardbound book is also lovingly referred to as the Five Pounder by chanters and readers.

Little Compline

And now as we lay us down to sleep,
O Master, grant us repose both of body and of soul,
and keep us from the dark sleep of sin
and from the sensuous pleasure of the dark passions of the night.

Still thou the assaults of passion;
quench the fiery darts of the wicked one
which are thrown insidiously at us;
calm the commotions of our flesh and put away
all earthly and material thoughts as we sleep.

And grant us, O God, a watchful mind, chaste thoughts,
a sober heart, and a gentle sleep, free from all the fantasies of Satan.

And raise us up again at the hour of prayer,
established in Thy Commandments and
holding steadfast within ourselves the remembrance of Thy judgments.

Give us the words of Thy glorification, all night long,
that we may praise, bless, and glorify Thy most honourable
and magnificent Name, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and always and for ever and ever. Amen .

O most glorious one, O ever-virgin, O blessed Theotokos,
commend our prayer to Thy Son, our God, and
entreat Him to save our souls through Thee.

The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge;
the Holy Spirit is my shelter.

O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.

All my hope I place in thee, O Theotokos,
keep me under the wing of thy care.

However, this holy prayer is not found in the red paperback prayerbook put out by the Antiochians, and that is a shame as this prayer is so powerful and effective. Now that we have been praying it before falling asleep, my husband no longer has terrifying dreams.

 

[MariaRegina]

Thanks.

Hi to all,

I'm not Orthodox, however I have enjoyed reading all the responses to the posting. I myself believe that God can speak to us through dreams. Also I believe that Satan can give us bad dreams and nightmares to torment us. There is dreams that come from God, dreams that come from Satan and dreams that come from our ownselves. I liked the prayer that was shared by MariaRegina. Many blessings to all.

Moriah Ruth

 

[Trying_to_be_Orthodox]

IMHO there is another one important question from practical field related with demon's influence: which power over statistical average people servants of satan have?

 

[ma2000]

You can anoint yourself with blessed oil or oil from the vigil lamp before going to sleep. Saint Niphon of Cyprus recommended it.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I've never read "The Lives of The Saints," and I don't really know how or where to get a copy (Is that the whole tittle?), but I understand there's a lot of information in there about the trials and temptations of monastics.

Can the devil cause disturbing, confusing, or misleading dreams that lead to doubt and despair?

Could he send more than one such dream, or would the second dream confirm that the first dream was of God?

Are there any examples of this kind of thing in The Lives of The Saints?

Absolutely. On all your questions.

This may be heplful... Orthodox Church in America

God be gracious to me a sinner.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I find that if I attend to my prayers and the hours that my dreams are caught up in them.

And don't eat before bed.

God be gracious to me a sinner.

 

[Moriah Ruth 777]

You are very much welcome MariaRegina. I noticed several times in the posting that it was mentioned to sleep with an icon. What do you mean by icon and what is it's purpose?

Moriah Ruth

 

[Dorothea]

Divine Prayers and Services, compiled and arranged by the Late Reverend Seraphim Nassar, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, 1993, p. 89.

I am breaking this powerful prayer into smaller paragraphs. This red hardbound book is also lovingly referred to as the Five Pounder by chanters and readers.



However, this holy prayer is not found in the red paperback prayerbook put out by the Antiochians, and that is a shame as this prayer is so powerful and effective. Now that we have been praying it before falling asleep, my husband no longer has terrifying dreams.

Oh, I have the Little Compline in my little prayer book. I didn't even think or remember that part! Thanks, Maria.

 

[Dorothea]

You can anoint yourself with blessed oil or oil from the vigil lamp before going to sleep. Saint Niphon of Cyprus recommended it.

Good idea. Thanks, ma.