The collect for Lent II

Is surely striking. It's so familiar, we may not hear it anymore for the shocker that it is:

We ask God's gracious protection ("by Your mighty power defend us") against two kinds of dangers. "All adversities that may happen to the body" AND "all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul."

Do you see how the evil thought is not a passive thing? It actually attacks! It actually hurts and damages the soul. I am reminded of the way that Evagarius could speak of "logismoi" almost as the demon itself. The words, the thoughts, by which Satan would seek to assault and damage and finally destroy us.

"God can't love you after you've done THAT."

"Did God really say?"

"Why doesn't God want you to be happy? Would He really consign you to this miserable relationship?"

"If God really loved you, you (your spouse, your child, your parent) wouldn't be dying!"

And so on and on. The terrible interior dialogs in which the demon would speak in you to plant his doubt, fear, hatred within.

And what can battle this but prayer for God's help (as in the Collect) and allowing His Words instead (filled with the Spirit - John 6!) to inhabit you. His words bring peace, and healing, and joy; and they show the talking devil the door!