Spiritual warfare is real, and every believer will face spiritual attacks at some point in their faith journey. When darkness surrounds you, your prayers become your most powerful weapon. This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to pray when under spiritual attack, using biblical principles that have strengthened believers for centuries.
Many believers find the concept of spiritual warfare intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be complex to be effective. We have broken this down into actionable steps that will help you put on the full armor of God and stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. By the end of this reading, you will have the confidence to speak life over your situation and the tools to invite God’s protecting presence into every area of your life.
Understanding Spiritual Attacks
Before learning how to pray during spiritual warfare, it’s essential to recognize what you’re facing. A spiritual attack is any attempt by demonic forces to discourage, distract, destroy, or derail your faith and God’s purpose for your life. These attacks can manifest as persistent negative thoughts, unexplained fear and anxiety, sudden relationship conflicts, financial pressures, physical illness, or overwhelming spiritual oppression.
“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 (ESV)
Recognizing that your struggle is spiritual rather than merely physical allows you to engage the right weapons. As Paul reminds us, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for pulling down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Step 1: Put on the Full Armor of God
Your first step in prayer during spiritual attack is to consciously clothe yourself with God’s armor. This isn’t merely symbolic; it’s a spiritual reality that provides divine protection. Begin your prayer time by declaring each piece of armor over your life.
Sample Armor Prayer
“Heavenly Father, I put on the full armor of God. I place the belt of truth around my waist, rejecting every lie of the enemy. I put on the breastplate of righteousness, covered by the righteousness of Christ. I put on the shoes of the gospel of peace, standing firm in Your promises. I take up the shield of faith to extinguish every fiery dart of the evil one. I place the helmet of salvation on my head, protecting my mind with the assurance of my salvation. I take the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word, as my offensive weapon. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
This prayer, based on Ephesians 6:13-17, establishes your spiritual defense before engaging in warfare. Many believers skip this crucial step and wonder why their prayers feel powerless.
Step 2: Submit to God and Resist the Devil
James 4:7 provides a powerful two-part strategy that must be followed in order. First submit to God, then resist the devil. Many Christians try to resist the enemy without first submitting to God’s authority, which leaves them vulnerable and ineffective.
Submission to God means acknowledging His sovereignty over your situation, confessing any known sin, and surrendering your will to His purposes. Only from this position of humility and obedience can you effectively resist demonic forces.
Prayer of Submission and Resistance
“Lord Jesus, I submit every area of my life to You. I confess [specific sins if applicable] and ask for Your cleansing. I surrender my fears, my plans, and my circumstances to Your perfect will. Now, in the authority of Jesus Christ, I resist every demonic attack. I command every spirit of [fear, confusion, oppression, etc.] to flee from me. You have no authority over my life because I belong to Jesus Christ. Leave now in Jesus’ name!”
Step 3: Pray the Word of God
Satan fled from Jesus in the wilderness when confronted with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11), and the same weapon works for believers today. The Word of God is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). When under spiritual attack, pray Scripture back to God and declare it against the enemy.
Identify specific verses that address your situation. If you’re battling fear, pray Psalm 91 or 2 Timothy 1:7. If you’re experiencing mental torment, declare Philippians 4:6-8 and 2 Corinthians 10:5. If you feel defeated, stand on Romans 8:37 and 1 John 4:4.
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord.” — Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)
Step 4: Plead the Blood of Jesus
The blood of Jesus is the most powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. Revelation 12:11 declares that believers overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. The enemy cannot stand against the blood of Christ, which speaks of complete victory over sin, death, and demonic powers.
Prayer Covering by the Blood
“Father, I plead the blood of Jesus over my mind, my body, my family, my home, and my circumstances. I apply the blood of Jesus to every area under attack. By His blood, I am redeemed, forgiven, sanctified, and protected. The blood of Jesus speaks better things than the blood of Abel—it speaks victory, healing, and deliverance. Every accusation of the enemy is silenced by the blood of Jesus Christ.”
Step 5: Pray in the Spirit
When you don’t know what to pray or feel overwhelmed by the attack, the Holy Spirit intercedes for you with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). Praying in tongues, if you have that gift, or simply yielding to the Holy Spirit’s leading in prayer, allows God to pray through you according to His perfect will.
This type of prayer bypasses your limited understanding and taps into divine wisdom. Many breakthroughs occur when believers stop trying to pray from their own understanding and allow the Spirit to pray through them.
Step 6: Pray with Thanksgiving and Praise
It may seem counterintuitive to praise God while under attack, but thanksgiving and praise are powerful weapons. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. When you create an atmosphere of worship, demonic forces must flee because they cannot coexist with God’s presence.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” — Philippians 4:4-6 (NKJV)
Begin praising God for who He is—His faithfulness, power, love, and sovereignty. Thank Him for past victories and for the victory you’re about to experience. This shifts your focus from the attack to the Attacker’s defeat at Calvary.
Step 7: Call on the Name of Jesus
There is supernatural power in the name of Jesus. At His name, every knee must bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth (Philippians 2:10). The early disciples didn’t have extensive theological training, but they knew the power of Jesus’ name, and demons fled at its mention.
Don’t hesitate to simply call on Jesus repeatedly. “Jesus, help me.” “Jesus, I need You.” “Jesus, deliver me.” These simple prayers, prayed with faith, carry extraordinary power because they invoke the One who has all authority in heaven and earth.
Step 8: Seek Community and Agreement
While personal prayer is essential, don’t fight alone. Jesus promised that where two or three gather in His name, He is there with them (Matthew 18:20). He also taught that if two agree on earth concerning anything they ask, it will be done by the Father in heaven (Matthew 18:19).
Important: When seeking prayer support, choose mature believers who understand spiritual warfare and won’t be frightened or dismissive of your situation. The wrong prayer partners can actually intensify your struggle rather than help you overcome it.
Maintaining Your Prayer Defense
Spiritual attacks rarely end with a single prayer. Maintain your defense by establishing a consistent prayer life, regularly reading Scripture, staying connected to a Bible-believing church, and keeping short accounts with God through immediate confession of sin. Think of prayer during spiritual attack not as a one-time emergency response but as an ongoing defensive position until the enemy retreats.
Remember that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Satan is a defeated enemy, and you already have victory through Christ. Your prayers don’t earn the victory—they enforce the victory Jesus already won at the cross.
Final Encouragement
If you’re currently under spiritual attack, be encouraged. The very fact that you’re experiencing warfare indicates that the enemy sees you as a threat to his kingdom. Your prayers matter, your faith matters, and your stand matters. God has not abandoned you in this battle; He’s right there with you, teaching you to fight from a position of victory rather than for victory.
Stand firm in the authority Christ has given you. Pray with confidence, knowing that the One who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). The spiritual attack you’re facing today is preparing you for the ministry and purpose God has for your tomorrow.
