Can the devil use dreams

[ArmyMatt]

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

icons are basically images of Christ and the saints. since we believe that God became man in the Incarnation, God uses matter to transmit His grace and healing (like St Paul's hankerchiefs, Christ's robe, the brazen serpent, etc).

 

[katherine2001]

We have three icons above our bed facing East.



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.

I love that prayer. I am going to have to use it. As I said, my priest really emphasizes using the prayer of the cross where you bless your bed with a cross while saying the prayer. I have found that this helps me quite a lot.

 

[Moriah Ruth 777]

Thank you ArmyMatt for answering my question regarding the icons and it's purpose. So the icons are images of the saints and Jesus. Are these like little statues images or pictures? Also are these used to protect one while sleeping?

Moriah Ruth

 

[Dorothea]

Thank you ArmyMatt for answering my question regarding the icons and it's purpose. So the icons are images of the saints and Jesus. Are these like little statues images or pictures? Also are these used to protect one while sleeping?

Moriah Ruth

This is an example of an icon:

 

[Moriah Ruth 777]

Thank you Dorothea.

 

[Dorothea]

You're welcome.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Also are these used to protect one while sleeping?

they can be, because God can use anything He wants to give us His grace.

 

[Moriah Ruth 777]

Thank you ArmyMatt for answering the rest of my question. However doesn't God and His angels protect us? Also are we not to put our trust in God instead of material things? And when we use images or icons do these not become idols?

I believe that God protects us as well as His angels. What more do we need? This is just my thinking.

Moriah Ruth

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you ArmyMatt for answering the rest of my question. However doesn't God and His angels protect us? Also are we not to put our trust in God instead of material things? And when we use images or icons do these not become idols?

I believe that God protects us as well as His angels. What more do we need? This is just my thinking.

Moriah Ruth

well we do, but if we look at Scripture, God has used material objects. the same God who sends us His angels, also healed a woman with the issue of blood through His robe. so the trust and the glory, whether from an icon, an angel, a saint, or whatever, is ultimately only because of God. if He can heal someone through Peter's shadow, He can heal someone through Peter's icon.

as far as idols go, God commanded images to be put up in the Tabernacle and Temple, Luke was the first iconographer, so there has always been a difference between an icon, which visually aides man in his worship of God, and an idol which is worshipped for its own sake.

as far as your last point, sure He gives us His angels, but if He gives us something else as well, shouldn't we accept that gift from Him too?

 

[Dorothea]

Excellent points, Matt.

Oh, just wanted to say that I found that prayer in my little prayer book - the Little Compline - the part MariaRegina posted, and I've prayed before bed the past couple nights, and my dreams have been less vivid, first off, and not scary or bad in any way. Thank you!

 

[MariaRegina]

Excellent points, Matt.

Oh, just wanted to say that I found that prayer in my little prayer book - the Little Compline - the part MariaRegina posted, and I've prayed before bed the past couple nights, and my dreams have been less vivid, first off, and not scary or bad in any way. Thank you!

That is really wonderful ... actually miraculous, Dot.

 

[MariaRegina]

Oh, just wanted to say that I found that prayer in my little prayer book - the Little Compline - the part MariaRegina posted, and I've prayed before bed the past couple nights, and my dreams have been less vivid, first off, and not scary or bad in any way. Thank you!

Pray this prayer with your children too. It also helps them.

 

[Dorothea]

That is really wonderful ... actually miraculous, Dot.

It's very nice and brings peace throughout the night.

 

[Moriah Ruth 777]

ArmyMatt,

Thank you for your response and answer. Very good points that you made. And yes I am aware of material things that God used to get His people's attention or for healing, etc. I just wasn't sure how it would have fit in with today's thinking.

Moriah Ruth

 

[Dorothea]

Pray this prayer with your children too. It also helps them.

The family (mine) needs to get back to doing the Little Compline together Monday nights. We were doing that for a little while, but then kept forgetting and such.