Help for those who feel they may be haunted, cursed or oppressed...
There are TV programmes such as Most Haunted and Medium. There are films like The Exorcist, Poltergeist and Paranormal Activity. Ghost stories can be scary but they are usually told as a bit of fun.
However, when these disturbances happen for real - to you - it is no joke.
There might be smells or noises you cannot explain. Parts of your home might feel colder than others. Things might move round the house by themselves, disappearing from one place and turning up in another. The cupboard doors might open and pots and pans fly out across the room. The washing machine might switch itself on and off and the television keeps changing its channels. Strange objects appear on home videos or photographs. You might sense a presence, see ghostly figures, or hear voices calling out your name.
You think people will laugh at you if you tell them. You might think you are going mad. You might even feel you are in danger.
Don't panic. First of all, look for any rational explanations. Check your electrical appliances. Look out for faulty door fittings and feel for any draughts etc. Make sure you are not falling victim to a practical joker.
If strange things are still happening, help is available - free of charge. If you do not have a connection with a church in your area, please contact your local Church of England priest. She or he can get in touch with the people in the Diocese who specialise in this phenomena.
Some Prayers
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray, and drive far from it the snares of the enemy. May your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace, and may your blessing be always upon us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and of stranger.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Helpful Links
http://www.churchesfellowship.co.uk/
