A companion guide for battle

Undoubtedly you have heard mention of spiritual warfare. Perhaps you understand what it is and the implications for it in our time. Perhaps you do not. Either way Paul Thigpen has written a book that guides the reader on what spiritual warfare is and how to take part in the battle. His new book, Manual for Spiritual Warfareis a great resource that I will be turning to often as should you.

From the intro: “The primary purpose of this manual, then, is to help everyday Catholics recognize, resist, and overcome the Enemy’s attacks in their own lives and the lives of those for whom they bear responsibility.” The first step in all this is recognizing the enemy and how they work. Paul goes int extensive detail about this in the first chapter. “No matter who you are – whether or not you know it – you have a mortal enemy who wants to destroy you, not just in this life, but the next. No matter where you live on this planet – you live on a hotly contested battlefield, and you can’t escape the conflict. It’s a spiritual war with crucial consequences in your everyday life. And the outcome of that war will determine your eternal destiny.” This battle is serious and the consequences are real. Educating yourself is just the first step.

The book itself is divided into two parts. The first tells the who, what and why of the battle itself. Once you understand those fundamentals of spiritual warfare you can proceed to part two. This second part arms you with the weapons you need to fight the good fight. These aids include excerpts from Church documents, Scripture texts, words from the Saints, and a 130 page final chapter of prayers, devotions and hymns. This section alone is worth it’s weight in gold.

We must be mindful that “the Lord Jesus Christ, the Conqueror of hell and death, calls us to battle alongside Him against the Enemy so we can have a share in His victory.” For that reason we must take this battle seriously. Rest assured that we are not taking on this task alone nor without the proper weapons. Paul goes into detail on each of these weapons which are prayer, worship, Eucharistic Adoration, fasting, Sacred Scripture, the sacraments, and sacramentals such as St. Benedict medals.

Prayer, fasting, worship and adoration, Scripture and sacraments and sacramentals all provide the weapons of our spiritual warfare. With them we go on the offensive against the Evil One. But the virtues provide our defensive armor.” Faith, hope, love, truthfulness, readiness and humility are covered in the fifth chapter. It is important to know and practice these virtues as a virtuous life will protect you from temptation as the term defensive armor suggests. Paul once more provides and invaluable chapter for guidance in the fight.

Once we learn what spiritual warfare is, how to go about participating and what we have at our disposal to protect we come to the second part of the book. This part of the book will be a valuable resource that you will refer to many times. I found much fruit for contemplation in the selected writings from the saints. Not only are there words powerful but helpful in knowing that those who have been on the battlefield before us left such powerful words of guidance. Teresa of Avila, Padre Pio, John Vianney, Martin de Porres, Benedict, Francis of Assisi among others serve as spiritual guides.

Additionally prayers abound in this section. There are meditations on the mysteries of the rosary that are geared toward spiritual warfare, prayers to St. Joseph, the breastplate of St. Patrick prayer, invocation of the nine choirs of angels, prayers to St. Michael, prayers for the Church and prayers for the family and home. Another highlight are brand new, never before published prayers including The Litany of Christ our Champion as well as new prayers to our Lady.  All of these prayers alone will be a source the reader can refer to often.

The Manual for Spiritual Warfare by Paul Thigpen is an exceptional resource for a daily prayer life. The book is handsomely bound in a gray premium ultra-soft cover with a ribbon marker. This book was made for daily use and with the quality content it certainly will be. The need for daily prayer to aid in the misguided times we live in today are greater now than ever. I know I will be using it often and recommend you get yourself a copy to do so as well.

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I received a copy of the book for this review from the publisher, Tan Books.