Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. John 20:3-10

I had been pondering lately why Jesus would have chosen Peter to lead the church when Peter had denied Him. From my human perspective it seemed to make more sense to me that God would choose the one who more fully surrendered, the one who stood at the cross, the Evangelist John. But the other day, I finally understood. I will do my best to explain.

John the Evangelist had the gift of prophecy. I will veer off a little bit here to talk about prophecy and the responsibility of it and the dangers of it. The prophet is to always call people back to God and to repentance. The prophet sees things that others don’t see, this is the gift, to see with more clear vision. But it’s important to understand that Satan can come in to try to twist this gift. If the prophet isn’t firmly aligned with the will of God, if he isn’t to point of purification the Lord works upon us, then the prophet can easily slide into pride and judgment, thinking he is better than another.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 12:2

And it was here that I saw the wisdom in Jesus’ choice. Of course it seems silly for me to question the wisdom of God. But being the limited human I am happy God dealt with me gently.

Jesus chose the one who got humiliated to lead. It was the humiliation of Peter that made him a great leader. He would always remember it. It enabled him to hear correction from Paul. Peter’s humiliation led to true humility. And for John, having to be obedient to Peter and defer to him as He did at the tomb, it keeps the gift of prophecy from becoming prideful. Obedience and humility are the key to true charity.

If we cannot love the person standing right in front of us and want well for them, then we have all missed the mark. Because in these dark times we are all living in, there is one thing I am certain of, we will all be humbled.

Being right has become more important than being loving in our society. This is why true prophecy shows the way to love.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Can you go through that list above and honestly say that you are living that? Even when you are right and someone else is wrong? Are you trying to force your will upon another? God doesn’t force or coerce. God invites. God’s love is complete and it looks like the cross.

Sometimes I wonder if the world is under a spell. We have all become so blinded the narrow path of true love seems scarcely seen.

The devil, diabolus, is the divider. He is running rampant.

I will close leaving you with a curse breaking prayer. A prayer to protect you and hopefully help you to love others. I did not write it. I cannot remember now where I came across it. I did adapt it some, but my prayer is that if we are under a spell, God can break the chains.

A Curse Breaking Prayer

I proclaim that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who hung on a tree’” .(Galatians 3:13)

Having forgiven as I am forgiven and repented of my sins, in the Most Holy Name of Jesus, I pray for the blessing from the fullness of his cross, death, blood, and sacrifice, his resurrection, life and empty tomb, his authority, rule and dominion upon me and my family.

I ask the Most Sovereign Queen of Angels and Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, to intercede on our behalf.

In the Most Holy Name of Jesus I ask judgment to be brought from His throne against every foul power, principality, witchcraft, black art, curse, hex, spell, portal, astral projection, and pharmakeia.  I plead Christ’s blood over me and my family against all curses that have been raised against us – through media, technology or in person – anything written, spoken or unspoken, or transferred to us and all curses of death, murder, sexual curses, curses of never, discord and sickness, all curses on my marriage (if married), health or finances.  

I bring the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, his blood shed upon the cross, against all blood sacrifices and rituals and their every claim against me or my family.

I bring Jesus Christ, the Son of God, sacrificed for me, against all ritual sacrifices and their every claim against me or my family.

I bring the dedication of Jesus Christ for me in death upon the cross against all ritual dedications.

In the name, and by the blood of Jesus Christ, I break the power and hold of every curse that has come to me through ritual or ritual sacrifice.

In the name and by the blood of Jesus Christ, I break the power and hold of every curse that has come to me or my family through transfer by another human being. 

In the name and by the blood of Jesus Christ, I break the power and hold of every curse that has come to me or my family through words spoken.

In the name and by the blood of Jesus Christ, I break the power and hold of every curse that has come to me or my family through occult practices.

In the Most Holy name of Jesus, I declare every legal hold and every legal ground of the enemy broken, disarmed, and destroyed.  Satan has no hold over me or my family now through curses or occult practices, through sacrifices or ritual of any kind.  Through the blood of Jesus Christ, I am free.  Thank you Jesus, for setting me and my family free.  I order these curses and claims utterly disarmed and dismantled now, through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ and His Most Holy Name.

In the Most Holy Name of Jesus, I command all demonic spirits that have gained access to me or my family through curses and rituals cut off and banished from me and my household, in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus I ask you to send your holy angels now to completely disarm all curses and black arts from me and my family, disarm their every device and render them destroyed.  I ask your angels to remove all foul spirits involved in these curses and black arts and bind them to your feet for judgment.

I now ask for the prayer of the communion of Saints to surround me. I ask for the mantle of protection of Our Most Holy Mother. I ask for the heavenly blessing the Father has given to me and my family in Christ Jesus. I claim those blessings right here in place of all cursing, by the power and authority of Our Lord Jesus Christ. May these things be accomplished in the mighty and Most Holy Name of Jesus. I give honor, thanks and praise, to the 2^nd person of the Blessed Trinity who became the Incarnate Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth to destroy the works of the devil and save me from my sins. May the Holy Spirit dwell with in me.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Peace be with all of you as we navigate these tough times.