Overcoming Trials

8 Powerful Prayers for Deliverance and Healing

I grew up believing that demons weren’t real—that they were figments of imagination, akin to monsters and the Boogie Man.  The first time I read through the entire Bible, I realized I’d been deceived.  Scripture paints a clear picture of a spiritual realm that is just as real as the temporal world we can see.  When we pray prayers for deliverance and healing, beings in the spiritual world move.

Today, we’ll explore eight powerful prayers for deliverance and healing.   First, let’s take a closer look at the description of the spiritual realm in the book of Daniel.

Prayers for Deliverance and Healing

Daniel 10 offers a vivid description of the spiritual realm.  This chapter begins with a vision in which Daniel saw a figure dressed in gold and linen.  The figure’s face glowed like lightning, and his eyes looked like flaming torches.  Many scholars believe it was the angel, Gabriel.

The angel told Daniel he had been in a battle with the spirit of the prince of Persia, and this evil spirit had been standing in his way for 21 days.  After 21 days, the archangel, Michael, arrived to help him fight in the battle, and they finally won the battle.

Daniel was speechless and lost his strength due to the intensity of this angelic encounter.  In response, the angel said to Daniel, “You who are treasured, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be courageous!” (Daniel 10:19).  The angel then departed to engage in another battle against a demonic spirit surrounding the Greeks.

The Spiritual Battle Is Real

This scene offers a vivid glimpse into the spiritual realm and teaches us practical lessons about spiritual warfare.  First, it shows that God hears our prayers immediately even when the answers seem delayed.  The angel told Daniel that God heard his prayers.  He had come in response to those words but was blocked by the prince Persia (Daniel 10:12-13).

This prince was not a person, but a demonic being surrounding the nation.  Scripture points to the existence of specific demons influencing the evil rulers of the world, both past and present.

Angels and Demons Are Engaged in a Battle

This leads to the second lesson we can learn from today’s passage: Delayed answers to our prayers can be the result of battles taking place in the spiritual realm.  A deferred answer to prayer isn’t always the result of God telling us no.

At times, angels and demons are battling about the matters over which we are praying.  Our ongoing prayers can inexplicably lead the way to victory for angelic beings.  This is why persevering in prayer is so important.

8 Prayers for Deliverance

As we watch the forces of evil moving in our world and in our personal lives, God calls us to pray.

Here are 10 spiritual warfare prayers to pray as we seek God’s healing and deliverance, both personally and globally.

1. Ask God to humble our hearts.

Psalm 51:17 reads, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.”

We cannot step into God’s spiritual power and authority until we humble ourselves and recognize our need for him.  This is the first step toward deliverance.

We cannot step into God's spiritual power and authority until we humble ourselves and recognize our need for him. This is the first step toward deliverance. #deliverance #prayer #healing #faith Share on X

Here is a prayer: “Lord, we ask for humble and contrite hearts.  Remind us that those who have been led into evil are not our enemies.  Satan is our enemy, and he has a foothold in these lives.  We pray that you will soften hard hearts and humble those who perpetuate evil by standing against you.  Show them their need for you.  We also pray that you will humble our hearts.  Teach us to become wholly dependent upon you.”

2. Pray for repentance so that God might heal our hearts and our land.

Second Chronicles 7:14 reads, “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

As we pray these prayers for deliverance, we can follow in this prayer for repentance and revival.

Here is a prayer: “Father, we pray that your people will humble themselves, pray, and seek your face.  We pray they will turn from evil and hear from you.  Lord, please forgive our sins and heal our land.  Lord, I ask you to search my heart and reveal any unconfessed sins to you.  I know that deliverance begins with repentance.  Empower me to repent and return to you.”

3. Claim your authority in Christ.

Romans 8:37 reads, “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

No matter what you face today, you are more than a conqueror through Christ.  All authority in heaven and earth belongs to him.

If you love Jesus, you have this same authority because you are found in him.  Claim it and stand on it.

Here is a prayer: “In the name and authority of Jesus, we pray for the forces of destruction and evil to submit to the will of Jesus.  We take back the ground that has been claimed by evil and humble ourselves before the Lord.”

4. Turn to the Holy Spirit rather than relying on human strength.

Zechariah 4:6 reads, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

The Holy Spirit lives inside every believer.  Press into this power and ask God to make his power known in your life.

Here is a prayer: “By the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray for God’s people to rise up and take a stand against the evil that prevails around us in the world.  Unify our hearts and bring us together in one spirit, enabling us to stand together in love as we fight against the evil surrounding us.”

5. Recognize the work of the enemy.

John 10:10 reads, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

How can we tell when Satan is on the move?

He comes to destroy.  If you are facing the threat of loss, death, or destruction of any sort, Satan is at work.

Stand against all destructive works of the enemy by declaring that you have abundant life in Christ.  Begin speaking the verses from this list out loud.  Refuse to be intimidated.  You have all authority when you speak out in Jesus’ name.

Here is a prayer: “In the name of Jesus, we command the destructive spirits in our homes, communities, and nation to depart.  We speak the healing power of Jesus over these places and plead the blood of Christ, who overcame evil when he rose from the grave.”

6. Bind the evil spirits in Jesus’ name.

Matthew 18:18-19 reads, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”

Jesus gave his disciples authority in the spiritual realm.  We stand in this authority, too.

This verse reminds us to ask God to bring his kingdom to earth as he rules and reigns over all spiritual powers.  It also reminds us to unite with others in prayer.  When we join together in praying, we are strengthened.

Don’t fight your spiritual battles alone.  Find someone who will pray with you.

Here is a prayer: “Lord, we bind the spirits of evil, division, and destruction in our nation and in our world.  We stand in agreement as we lift this prayer before your throne and thank you for hearing us.”prayers for deliverance

7. Pray for good to overcome evil.

Romans 12:1 reads, “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.”

We can overcome evil by simply doing good.  Loving well is a powerful way of doing battle on this fallen earth.

Here is a prayer: “God, help us, as your children, to set an example for how to overcome evil.  Let our love be so strong that darkness cannot stay in our presence.  Teach us to love our enemies, extend kindness to those who wish to harm us, and remember that we are all much more alike than we are different.  Every person is on a journey with you.  Help us lead others toward you, not away from you.”

8. Take authority over evil spirits.

Deuteronomy 28:7 reads, “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.”

A battle is taking place in the unseen spiritual realm.  Ask God to defend you in this battle.  He lives to fight for you.

Here is a prayer: “God, thank you for reigning in power over every evil spirit.  In the name of Jesus, we command the evil, destructive spirits to flee from our homes, schools, and communities.  Lead us into victory with your powerful right hand.”

A Free Devotional to Apply These Prayers for Deliverance to Your Life

God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment.  Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us.  I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment.  Find it free here

 

Calling all moms and daughters—and parents of boys!

As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God.  Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 14, share this vision.  They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or grandparents to read with the children they care about.Devotionals for Kids

God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength is for boys ages 5-13.  Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to courageously carry God’s love into the world.  Written with input from our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven, this book will help the boys you care about find courage and strength in God.  Find this life-changing devotional book here.

Devotionals for Girls

Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion.  I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven.  Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20.  It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing.  This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start.  Bekah and I will help you right here.

All three books are available in print and eBook form here on Amazon.  They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial!  These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them.  Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.Devotions for Kids

Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone.  Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life.  Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here.  (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!

I’m passionate about equipping others to encounter God in powerful and life-changing ways. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me hiking, jogging, exploring wild places with my three young children and husband, leading small groups, and mentoring younger women. A certified special education teacher, I am on leave from the classroom for a season of chasing frogs and playing in creeks with my little ones. Most of all, the compassionate love of Jesus has forever ravished my heart, and I'm emphatic about making his love known to the world.