Praying When Under Spiritual Attack

Are you looking for tips on praying under spiritual attack?

You may have heard it said that if you are walking the Christian walk, you should expect to be under spiritual attack. Jesus told us we would be persecuted for his namesake. We are fighting the “powers of darkness”. This is spiritual warfare we are engaged in.

So how does one defend themselves? What tactics from the enemy should I be aware of? What are the strategies one should employ for praying when under spiritual attack?

God’s children will be spiritually attacked

First, we need to understand whose we are. Having a kingdom mindset, a right understanding of who God says we are helps us to put our situation in perspective.

Though “saved” (having placed faith in Jesus as our Savior), we can walk as one who is still unsaved. In our actions and thoughts, we can allow disappointments and failures to define and defeat us.

This last year has been one that tried the patience and resolve of even the most ardent Christ follower. The most stalwart prayer warrior likely faltered at times this past year. Some of you may still be feeling that way now. I admit I have been.

Spiritual attacks don’t come just because the trials and tribulations come. It isn’t just because we are facing things we haven’t faced before.

Those are factors to be sure, but they are not the whole puzzle.

I believe it is because we have allowed the lies of the enemy to creep in and take root. 

 Spiritual attacks are designed to get us off track

Satan and his demons are powerful; however, their power is limited. They are only able to attack us based on the things they see us do or hear us say. They are not all knowing like God is.

For example, Satan cannot read our minds, however, he can plant false ideas there. Lies that he wants you to believe. 

Satan’s game is to keep you distracted. He wants to cause you to focus on the unimportant things. He wants to create chaos that upends your peace. Or have you believing that what you are praying for, God doesn’t want you to have. Satan is not the light; however, he will use every tactic he can to imitate it.

Remember Eve and the garden? Satan planted a seed of doubt and Eve ate the whole fruit, reaping the sin and fall that followed.

If Satan can get you doubting God’s promises, he can plant a seed…a lie. If he can build on that by creating fear or increasing your fears over something God wants you to do, then he wins. By creating inertia based on your fear, he makes you ineffective for the kingdom.

Power of prayer in spiritual attacks

So many times, I have heard people say “Well, all that is left to do is pray.” Prayer is a much more powerful weapon than we give it credit. 

Prayer activates the Holy Spirit to go to work on our behalf. Prayer draws heaven near. Praying when under spiritual attack is your absolute best defense.

Ephesians 6:18 states that we should “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

Just before this passage we find Paul giving us specific instructions in verses 10 – 17 regarding our response to spiritual attacks. 

Verse 11 says we are to “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.” This is your starting verse for effectively praying when under spiritual attack.

8 Scriptures to pray when under spiritual attack

1. 1. Remember Satan cannot stand in the face of God: “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
   2. Remember whose strength Satan is actually fighting: “But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.” II Thessalonians 3:3; “Don’t be afraid of them, for the Lord your God fights for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22

• Remember God already overcame: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

1. When you aren’t sure what words to use, remember that the Spirit intercedes for you: Romans 8:26-27
2. When Satan whispers that you are too far gone for God to care, remind him: “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8: 38-39
3. When your mind is full of fear and anxiety, take those thoughts captive: “For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5
4. Remember that God remains true and His promises and Word stands firm: II Timothy 2:13

 5 strategies for praying when under spiritual attack

• Remember that fear is of Satan, not God. II Timothy 1:7

1. Renew your mind in God: claim His promises out loud…pray those words back to Him. Claim the strength and power mentioned in the scriptures above as His protection over you in your current situation. And finally, be in the Word daily to gain wisdom and knowledge for your journey.
2. Thank Him – thank God for prayers He has already answered; for blessings He has already given.
3. Praise Him – praise reminds us of God’s worthiness and majesty and brings pleasure to Him.
4. Remind Satan who wins – Remember that you are fighting from a place of victory, not FOR victory. God has already won through His son Jesus.

Prayer defeats spiritual attacks

When we claim God’s power in us and His ability to work His good pleasure through us, Satan has no choice but to flee.

We have the very spirit of God living in us – the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer. That same power that resurrected Jesus is in you! We just need to learn to harness it. As David states in Psalm 144:1 – 

“May the Lord, my rock, be praised,
who trains my hands for battle
and my fingers for warfare.”

When you are struggling to believe, feeling alone, annoyed, frustrated, angry or anxious it’s time to run to the Word and hit your knees in prayer! You don’t have to believe the lies from Satan…in fact, tell him to go to hell where he belongs.