O Divine Eternal Father, in union with your Divine Son and the Holy Spirit, and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg You to destroy the Power of your greatest enemy – the evil spirits.
Cast them into the deepest recesses of hell and chain them there forever! Take possession of your Kingdom which You have created and which is rightfully yours.
Heavenly Father, give us the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
I repeat this prayer out of pure love for You with every beat of my heart and with every breath I take.
Amen
Short prayer for protection from evil spirits
There is, admittedly, a lot we don’t know or understand about prayer. How it is incorporated into the way a sovereign God providentially governs the universe remains largely a mystery. Why some prayers are answered swiftly, and others slowly, and some not at all, often baffles us. But this doesn’t mean we are left in the dark when it comes to prayer.
We know, for example, that we are to pray to God the Father, in the name of God the Son, and through the sustaining power of God the Holy Spirit. We know that we are to come to the throne of grace “with confidence” so “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). And Jesus himself reminded us that he delights in answering our prayers because in this way “the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).
But other questions remain largely unanswered. One example: What are we to pray when it comes to our war with Satan and his demonic hosts? How does prayer factor into our obedience to the command that if we “resist” Satan “he will flee” from us (James 4:7)?
We Do Not Pray for Satan
Of this we may be certain: at no time are we to pray for, or on behalf of, Satan. Scripture repeatedly assures us that his eternal destiny in the lake of fire is sealed and irreversible. Neither Satan nor his demons are capable of repentance. Salvation has not been provided for them. Indeed, “it is not angels that he [Christ] helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16). The cross is the instrument of Satan’s defeat, not his redemption (Hebrews 2:14–15; Colossians 2:13–15).
“Satan often seeks to incite disunity and division in the body of Christ.”
Scripture is equally clear that we are not to pray to Satan. There is nothing he would do for us but evil, and it is to God alone that we bring our many requests. To petition Satan or to pray to him for his presence and power is what only those who honor him as “lord” would dare to do. So, how does prayer relate to Satan and the demonic hosts? In what ways should we pray against him?
Stay Alert at All Times
It is worth noting that in the most explicit and extensive chapter on spiritual warfare, Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul concludes his delineation of the spiritual armor with which we are to engage our enemy in conflict by issuing this exhortation: “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
Some have insisted that prayer is itself the final piece of armor with which we are to adorn ourselves, although it seems more likely that Paul intends for prayer to characterize each spiritual weapon with which we engage and push back against “the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Perhaps the best way to approach this challenging question is by taking note of what Satan seeks to accomplish and formulate prayers that God would counteract the goals Satan seeks to achieve.
Pray Against His Schemes
We know that Satan has a plan. Although sinful, he is not stupid. He does not act haphazardly or without purpose.
Paul states clearly in 2 Corinthians 2:10–11 that Satan has “designs” — a strategy, an agenda, to undermine unity in the church in that city (and no doubt in every city, yours included). This is similar to what the apostle says in Ephesians 6:11 concerning the “schemes” (literally, methodia = methods) of the devil. In other words, he is cunning and wily and employs carefully orchestrated stratagems in his assault against Christian men and women and the local church.
Satan energizes and gives shape to worldly value systems, institutions, organizations, philosophical movements, political, social, and economic systems. Satan sets his goals and then utilizes and exploits the most effective means, while avoiding all obstacles, to reach his diabolical ends.
Pray for the Gospel to Prevail
We know that Satan works in active opposition to the gospel. Paul says that he blinds the minds of the unbelieving lest they should see the glory of the gospel and be saved (2 Corinthians 4:4). He does so by distracting them when the gospel is presented and by stirring up hostility and suspicion in the minds of those to whom we preach. Thus, when we pray we should beseech God to shine in their hearts “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6) and to overcome all resistance to the truth of what Christ has done for sinners.
Satan “hindered” the apostle Paul from visiting the church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:18). We don’t know by what means he did this, but surely our prayers should be regular for global missionaries who are making every effort to penetrate into areas and people groups who do not yet have the gospel message.
“We know that Satan has a plan. Although sinful, he is not stupid. He does not act haphazardly or without purpose.”
There are other ways in which Satan seeks to undermine our ministries and to lead us to question the goodness of God. He is, on occasion, the source of sickness (Acts 10:38; Matthew 8:16; Mark 9:17–18; Luke 13:10–17) and uses the fear of death to hold us in bondage (Hebrews 2:14). There are times when he might insert sinful plans or purposes into our hearts in an effort to thwart God’s designs (Acts 5:3; John 13:2; Matthew 16:21–23).
Pray for Believers to Endure
Once again, knowing the strategy of the enemy will give focus to our requests that God work in us to resist all of Satan’s nefarious efforts to wreak havoc in our souls. If Satan produces in us the fear of death, we should seek God’s help to remind us of the certainty of our hope of eternal life. If Satan can be the cause of certain physical afflictions, we must relentlessly ask God for “gifts of healing” (1 Corinthians 12:9) to bring restoration.
When Satan sought permission to “sift” Peter like wheat (Luke 22:31), Jesus prayed for his apostle that his faith might not fail (Luke 22:32). Should we not pray for ourselves and others in the same manner?
Other texts indicate that Satan may well incite persecution of God’s people (1 Peter 5:8–9; Revelation 2:10), as well as provoke their imprisonment and cause their martyrdom (Revelation 2:10). Far from crushing our hopes, this reality should drive us with increasing intensity and regularity to the throne of God’s grace to ask for his sustaining power and the ability to endure with joy (Colossians 1:11).
Pray for Christian Unity
Jesus himself prayed for our unity (John 17:15, 20–21), knowing full well that Satan often seeks to incite disunity and division in the body of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:10–11). This latter text suggests that Satan was determined to exploit the reluctance of certain believers in Corinth to forgive and restore the wayward, but now repentant, brother in their midst. Satan’s design was to humiliate the repentant sinner and perhaps drive him to despair. Since Paul alerts us to this sort of Satanic design, our prayers should be for the Holy Spirit to unite our hearts in one purpose when it comes to the restoration of a believer and unity of heart and mind in the body of Christ.
“To pray effectively against Satan’s activity, we must be cognizant of the many ways he seeks to destroy our faith.”
Paul was also concerned that Satan would take advantage of the decision by a husband and wife to temporarily refrain from sexual relations to devote themselves exclusively to prayer (1 Corinthians 7:5). It is consistent with Satan’s wickedness that he would take an otherwise godly intention and exploit it for his own evil purposes. Should not the prayers of God’s people then be for the strength and commitment of married couples to remain faithful and pure in their sexual relationship? For unity in the church, the home, and the marriage bed?
One of the more instructive texts on the activity of Satan is found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. There he exhorts us to “be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26–27). Clearly, Satan will seek every opportunity to take advantage of our sinful inclinations, in this particular case, the destructive power of anger in our relationships with one another (and especially in marriage) to divide us.
Satan is not blamed for creating our anger, but his response is to intensify and expand its presence in our hearts when we delay reconciliation or withhold forgiveness. We must, therefore, be quick to pray and to seek God’s help, in the name of unity, by humbling ourselves when relational friction occurs.
He Who Is in You
It seems quite clear, therefore, that in order to pray effectively against Satan’s activity we must be cognizant of the many ways he seeks to destroy our faith. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, we do not want to “be outwitted by Satan” which will only happen if we remain “ignorant of his designs” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
One final word is called for. Some may mistakenly think that to pray against Satan’s many schemes or designs is a “fear-based” approach to Christian living. Quite to the contrary, it is borne of an attitude of complete and unwavering confidence in the goodness and power of God to supply his children with every spiritual resource necessary to grow in conformity to Christ Jesus. May we never forget, in all our prayers, that “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Prayer for the devil to flee
Are you in a battle today, and it’s taking more than just a physical toll on you? Are you finding it difficult to find the words to tell the devil to be gone? Spiritual warfare is crippling, real, and troublesome, but Jesus has already won us the victory!
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” ~ Ephesians 6:12
As Christians, we are in a spiritual battle of some sort on a daily basis. In warfare, battles are fought on different fronts, for different reasons, and with varying degrees of intensity. The same is true in spiritual warfare. Our spiritual battles and warfare are real, even though we cannot physically see the attacker. There are forces, both angelic and demonic, that are actively working around us. There is evil that we fight in our spiritual warfare. Jesus told us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. He told us that the gates of hell will not prevail against the work that God has purposed for us to accomplish, as His will is being worked out in our lives.
We need to understand that the battle is not against flesh and blood but against powers in the heavenly places. As we begin to get a revelation of spiritual warfare, we will begin to understand how the enemy moves against us in the physical realm. The battles of spiritual warfare are intense when a person decides to accept Jesus as their Savior. The enemy will attack from all angles, hoping to dissuade the person from fully giving their heart to Jesus. He will use circumstances, events, people, things, and even doubt in their minds to steal their hearts back to his ways. These types of battles are fought in the world but involve the spiritual forces of darkness that exist in the invisible realm around us. (excerpt from Understanding the Battle of Spiritual Warfare)
Spiritual Warfare Prayers
Contents
A Prayer for Spiritual Warfare
A Prayer for Protection Against Evil
A Prayer to Guard Against Spiritual Attacks
A Warrior’s Prayer with the Armor of God
A Prayer to Resist the Devil’s Attacks
Pray along with these words now and let the Lord break the chains of fear and bondage! Here are 5 spiritual warfare prayers to help you win the battle for your soul and mind. You can also download your own personal copy of these powerful prayers HERE! Keep them with you throughout the day and by your bedside, so you can fight the battle with God’s strength.
A Prayer for Spiritual Warfare
Jesus, sometimes I can almost sense the heaviness of pressure mounting and the ominous presence of darkness around me. I recognize my enemy is at work again. Whether he’s trying to discourage me to get sidetracked, to fall into temptation, to give up, or to take my eyes off you, he’s always hanging around.
I need your supernatural power, Lord, to stand strong and not surrender. Physical force won’t help, because you’ve said the weapons of our warfare are different from those in this world. As believers, ours are powerful and can demolish strongholds and lies. These supernatural weapons originate from you. By your precious name and blood, Jesus, I’m asking you to confuse Satan and cancel his attempts to shut me and my influence down. Help me not to become discouraged or to give in when heavy times of testing come.
When I’m tired and weak, you are strong, Lord, and you are my only source of help. I cannot fight without you. Teach me how to pray and to trust you to pull down those strongholds that keep me or others helpless. Guard me from the isolation that leaves me exposed and vulnerable. I believe you destroyed the power of my enemy by your death and resurrection. But like a bad penny, my enemy keeps showing up, whispering lies, twisting the truth, and attempting to inflate my selfish pride. He never gives up.
I am declaring the devil and his demons liars today, Lord. Through the power of your precious name and blood, I agree with your Word and the truth that you are in me and that you are greater than my enemy who wants to rule the world. You, your Word, and prayer, Lord, are my secret weapons. I belong to you, and that fills me with a powerful God-confidence. I want to constantly dress in the spiritual armor you give me. Help me use it to defend others from Satan’s fiery darts as well. No one and nothing can snatch me away from your hand.
Strengthen my faith, Lord. Forgive my sins, so that I may be clean in your righteousness. Make me brave, so I can stand and fight the spiritual battles in my life and in our world. Give me your wisdom and discernment so I won’t be caught off guard. Together, Lord, we’ll win, because in truth, you already have.
In Jesus’s powerful name before which every knee shall bow, Amen!
A Prayer for Protection Against Evil
Lord Jesus, evil is such a harsh word, and yet Your Word uses it frequently to describe the opposite of good. While we are all capable of sin, I ask Your protection against those who call good evil, and evil good. Guard us from those who scheme against righteousness and from those who twist truth into lies to accomplish their evil intents. May Your angels hover ever near to eradicate fear and fight against dark, spiritual forces we cannot see. Help us cast down every imagination and thought that our enemy tries to use to exalt itself against You.
You dealt our spiritual enemy a fateful blow on Calvary when you died on the cross for us and were resurrected on the third day. While evil still roams, the power of Your name and Your blood rises up to defeat and bring us victory against every evil planned against us. While malicious actions may disturb us, we use the armor of God You have given us to stand firm. You will bring justice in due time for all the harm and needless violence aimed at Your children. Until then, we remain in Your presence, aligned with Your purposes, and we look to You as our Supreme Commander and Protector. Help us to avoid temptation, and deliver us from evil, Lord. You are the Mighty One, the One Who will ultimately bring all evil to light. With You, Jesus, we are safe. Amen.
A Prayer to Guard Against Spiritual Attacks
We know that the enemy wouldn’t be fighting so hard against us if we weren’t making a difference for your kingdom. He wouldn’t be trying so hard to stop us, if he didn’t think you had so much good still in store. Remind us today Lord, that the battle belongs to you, and whatever we’re up against can be taken down in one fell swoop by your mighty hand. Please help us to trust you more, to stop wasting time just spinning our wheels or fighting in our strength. Forgive us for the times we’ve neglected to set our eyes and hearts on you, for the days we’ve forgotten to come to you first. Fill us with the power of your Holy Spirit. Fill us with your wisdom and discernment to make us aware of the enemy’s traps, so we can stand strong against his schemes. Thank you for your constant reminders that your presence will go with us, in whatever we face, and you will give us rest. Amen – Debbie McDaniel
A Warrior’s Prayer With the Armor of God
Heavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!
I put on the Girdle of Truth! May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the Shield of Faith! May I discern Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation! May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.
I take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.
By faith your warrior has put on the whole armor of God! I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory! Amen. – David Jeremiah
A Prayer to Resist the Devil’s Attacks
Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have already won the victory. Because of your death on the Cross, Satan’s fate has been sealed. Thank you for equipping and enabling me to resist the devil’s attacks. Thank you for your Word that can expose my own sinful desires and refute the lies of the Devil. Help me to stand firm, rooted in the faith, shielded by your armor, and dependent on your grace. Help me to resist the devil today. In the name of the one who crushed the head of the serpent, Amen.
