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For those who would like never to turn back again to the dead past of lust intoxication, temptation seems an awful and cruel wrong, the last thing a lust addict wants in quest for the
gift of sobriety. Aware of an addict's powerlessness over compulsion, our first course of action is to pray: to surrender all into God's hands. The recovering addict does not seek absolute control over his weakness, but trusts that God and His heavenly emissaries intercede to help. The Spirit groans for us in the hour of need. Have you ever noticed, when under
fatigue from the weight of unexpected temptation, the next breath can suddenly bring, seemingly out of nowhere, a rally of prayer spoken loud and clear, confidently determined to find the ear of God? We can be assured and give thanks; the Spirit is at work in us. God delivers, after
we have suffered a little while. Temptation is often a test, not for our capacity to overcome it by 'holding one's breath' or something similar. Our "effort" is simple willingness to surrender the victory to God's power. Faith in the Holy Name and Power of Jesus, through trust in the sincere prayer, is all
we need. Though we are tried, we are born along on angel hands above the fray, when our friendship with God remains abiding and true, our prayer life rich. We learn to boast in our incapability and in His impeccable, invincible providence. In the Church, there are many holy emissaries, many we can turn to for intercession. St Joseph Terror of Demons We know what a powerful advocate we have in the Blessed Mother, who is so often depicted in sacred art, standing with her foot crushing the head of the tempter serpent. Mary' purity is of such intensity, that the Devil, it is said, cannot get near her without suffering excruciating pain.
St Joseph was selected among all earthly men to be spouse of the stainless Queen of Heaven. There can be no doubt Joseph's purity is not ordinary either. From the book "St Joseph as Seen by Mystics and Historians": "Mary of Agreda tells us that the intercession of Saint Joseph is particularly most powerful: for attaining the virtue of purity and for overcoming the sensual inclinations of the flesh; for procuring powerful help to escape sin and return to the friendship of God; for increasing
the love and devotion to most holy Mary; for inspiring demons with
terror at the mere mention of his name; for gaining health of body and
assistance in all kinds of difficulties, and for securing issue of
children in families." ...demons know well that his power over them is most formidable. All souls in a struggle with the demons, should engage St Joseph, the man God has designated and enabled to conquer them with greatest efficaciousness. St Teresa of Avila:"The Lord wants us to understand that just as He was
subject to St Joseph on earth - for since bearing the title of father,
being the Lord's tutor, Joseph could give the Child commands - so in
Heaven, God does whatever Joseph commands. To the other saints, God gives the
grace to help us in certain particular needs, but to Saint Joseph, He
gives power to help us in all our needs." It is said that St Joseph dwells in heaven so holily, that he anxiously awaits every prayer. Two powerful prayers for invoking
the intercession of St Joseph: From the Thanksgiving after Mass St Joseph, father and
guardian of virgins, To whose faithful keeping Christ
Jesus, innocence itself, and Mary, Queen of Virgins, were
entrusted, I pray and beseech thee by that
twofold and most precious charge, By Jesus and Mary, to save me from all
uncleanness, To keep my mind untainted, my heart
pure, and my body chaste and to help me always to serve Jesus
and Mary in perfect chastity. Amen.
From the Dominican Province of St Joseph, hosts of the Angelic Warfare
Confraternity,
a prayer from Fr. James Dominic Brent, O.P.
Glorious St Joseph, most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
father of all the Church and strength of men who are weak in this world,
grant we beseech thee, by thy powerful intercession, the grace of chastity strong and true.
Through the power of thy son Jesus break the chains that bind us to evil,
deliver us from every demon who tempts us to impurity
and heal the wounds we have brought on ourselves.
Build up our hearts, we beseech thee, to be weak in the face of true love
and strong in the presence of seduction and lust and lies about love.
Ever blessed and glorious St Joseph, pray for us.
Pray that we may not be conformed to this age,
but may be transformed by the renewal of our minds.
Amen.
Devotion to St Joseph is mercy for the lust addict, for he was, endowed by God.
Most chaste St Joseph, thank you for your precious holy life, for giving us the gift of Jesus, and for being our advocate. St. Joseph pray for us!