Last night, I was reminded just how real the spiritual realm is and how vital it is to cover ourselves—and each other—in prayer. As I serve at this youth retreat, I found myself sharing with a brother about a season when I struggled with night terrors. I hadn’t experienced one in a long time… but sure enough, I had one that same night. It was bad—I was thrashing, kicking the bunk above me, and woke the whole dorm.

But here’s the powerful part…

In the middle of the chaos, I heard a calm voice say, “You’re okay. You’re safe.”

It brought me peace in that moment.

This morning, I asked my brother Jonathan if it was him who spoke those words. He said no.

But he did tell me this: Right before the terror came on, he woke up—without knowing why—and began praying in tongues.

He was obedient to the Spirit’s prompting. And though he never said a word out loud, I heard the voice of comfort in my spirit. That’s the Holy Spirit at work, y’all. That’s the power of brotherhood, of obedience, and of unspoken prayer that speaks louder than words.

We must be careful not to speak fear or trauma over ourselves—we invite battles we’re not armored up for. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

And Philippians 4:8 reminds us to dwell on what is true, noble, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.

Let this be a reminder to:

✅ Guard your thoughts

✅ Watch your words

✅ Cover your brothers in prayer

✅ And obey when the Spirit wakes you up—He may be calling you to intercede

There is protection in the prayers of the righteous, and brotherhood rooted in Christ is a covering you don’t always see—but you’ll feel it when it matters most.

 

-Rev Carlos Figueroa