Spiritual attacks can be scary and overwhelming, but as a believer, you have the power to overcome them through prayer. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This means that our battles are not physical but spiritual, and we need to use spiritual weapons to fight them.

Here are some steps you can take to pray when under spiritual attack:

Step 1: Recognize the Source of the Attack

Before you can effectively pray against a spiritual attack, you need to recognize where it’s coming from. Is it a temptation from the devil, an attack from a demonic force, or an internal struggle? Identifying the source of the attack will help you tailor your prayers and use the appropriate spiritual weapons.

Step 2: Repent and Confess Your Sins

Sometimes, spiritual attacks can be a consequence of our own sinful choices or actions. In such cases, it’s important to repent and confess your sins before God. Confession opens the way for forgiveness and healing, and it removes the legal ground that the enemy may have to attack you.

Step 3: Put on the Armor of God

In Ephesians 6:13-18, the Bible outlines the spiritual armor that we need to put on to fight against spiritual attacks. This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Before you pray against a spiritual attack, make sure you have put on the armor of God and are ready for battle.

Step 4: Pray for Protection and Deliverance

Once you have identified the source of the attack and put on the armor of God, you can begin to pray for protection and deliverance. Here are some prayers you can pray:

• Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus, and I ask for your protection and deliverance from this spiritual attack. I pray that you would surround me with your angels and shield me from the enemy’s attacks.”
• “Lord, I ask that you would rebuke the devourer for my sake and break every curse and stronghold that the enemy has over my life. I pray for your deliverance and freedom.”
• “Father, I declare your promises over my life and rebuke every lie and deception of the enemy. I pray that your truth would set me free and that I would walk in the victory that you have already won for me.”

Step 5: Seek Support and Accountability

Spiritual attacks can be isolating, but it’s important to seek support and accountability from other believers. Reach out to your pastor, a trusted friend, or a prayer group and ask for prayer and encouragement. Share your struggles and be open to receiving help and guidance.

Step 6: Continue to Pray and Seek God’s Guidance

Finally, remember that spiritual warfare is an ongoing battle. Even after you’ve prayed for deliverance, you may still face attacks and temptations. Continue to pray and seek God’s guidance, and be vigilant against the enemy’s schemes. Stay in fellowship with God and His people, and trust in His power to overcome every spiritual attack.

Step 7: Speak Out Loud God’s Promises

Speaking out loud God’s promises and truths is a powerful way to combat spiritual attacks. When you hear yourself declare God’s promises, it strengthens your faith and weakens the hold that the enemy may have on your mind and emotions. Here are some promises you can speak out loud:

• “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17).
• “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
• “The Lord is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:2).
• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Step 8: Fast and Pray

Fasting is a powerful way to draw closer to God and seek His face in times of spiritual attack. When you fast, you deny your physical needs and focus on your spiritual needs. It’s a way to show God that you are serious about seeking His help and that you trust in His power to deliver you. As you fast, pray for God’s protection, guidance, and deliverance.

Step 9: Bind and Rebuke the Enemy

In Matthew 18:18, Jesus said, “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.” Binding and rebuking the enemy is a way to exercise your spiritual authority and prevent him from carrying out his plans. Here’s a prayer you can pray to bind and rebuke the enemy:

• “In the name of Jesus, I bind and rebuke every demonic force that is coming against me. I declare that they have no power over me, and I command them to leave in the name of Jesus. I plead the blood of Jesus over my mind, emotions, and body, and I ask for God’s protection and deliverance.”

Step 10: Stay Rooted in God’s Word

Finally, staying rooted in God’s Word is crucial in times of spiritual attack. The Bible is a source of truth, comfort, and strength, and it’s a way for God to speak to us and guide us. Make it a habit to read and meditate on God’s Word daily, and memorize key verses that you can use to combat spiritual attacks. Here are some verses that may be helpful:

• “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
• “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
• “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Step 11: Surround Yourself with Godly Influences

When facing spiritual attacks, it’s important to surround yourself with godly influences that can offer you support, encouragement, and accountability. Seek out friends, family members, or mentors who are strong in their faith and can help you stay focused on God’s truth and promises. Attend church, small group, or Bible study meetings where you can fellowship with other believers and grow in your faith together.

Step 12: Practice Gratitude and Praise

Practicing gratitude and praise is a powerful way to shift your focus from your problems to God’s goodness and faithfulness. When you praise God and thank Him for all the good things He has done in your life, you open your heart to His presence and power, and you invite Him to work in your situation. Here are some ways to practice gratitude and praise:

• Make a list of all the things you are thankful for and read it out loud.
• Listen to worship music or sing praises to God.
• Read Psalms that focus on God’s greatness and faithfulness.

Step 13: Seek Inner Healing

Sometimes, spiritual attacks can be a result of past wounds, traumas, or unhealed emotions that are causing spiritual blockages. Seeking inner healing through prayer, counseling, or therapy can help you identify and address these issues, and free you from the hold they may have on your spiritual life. Here are some ways to seek inner healing:

• Pray for God’s healing touch and ask for His guidance in seeking help.
• Seek counseling or therapy from a trusted professional who shares your faith.
• Attend a healing retreat or workshop that focuses on spiritual and emotional healing.

Step 14: Serve Others

Serving others is a powerful way to shift your focus from your own problems to the needs of others, and to experience God’s love and grace in action. When you serve others, you become a channel of God’s blessing and light, and you also open yourself up to receive God’s blessings in return. Here are some ways to serve others:

• Volunteer at a local charity or non-profit organization.
• Visit and encourage the sick, the elderly, or the lonely.
• Offer to pray for and support those who are going through difficult times.

Step 15: Persevere in Faith

Finally, it’s important to persevere in faith and not give up when facing spiritual attacks. Remember that God is with you, and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Keep praying, seeking God’s guidance, and trusting in His power to deliver you. Here are some verses that may encourage you to persevere in faith:

• “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
• “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
• “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Step 16: Renew Your Mind

Renewing your mind with God’s truth is a crucial step in overcoming spiritual attacks. The enemy often tries to plant lies and negative thoughts in our minds, but we can counteract these attacks by filling our minds with God’s Word and promises. Here are some ways to renew your mind:

• Memorize and meditate on Bible verses that speak to your situation.
• Listen to sermons or podcasts that focus on God’s truth and wisdom.
• Read Christian books that offer insights and encouragement.

Step 17: Fast and Pray

Fasting and prayer can be a powerful combination for breaking through spiritual strongholds and receiving God’s guidance and direction. Fasting helps to focus our minds and hearts on God, and prayer opens the door to His power and presence. Here are some tips for fasting and praying:

• Seek God’s guidance on what kind of fast to undertake, and how long to do it.
• Set aside regular times for prayer, and ask God to show you specific things to pray for.
• Consider fasting from things that distract you from God, such as social media or television.

Step 18: Seek Spiritual Covering

Seeking spiritual covering from godly leaders or mentors can offer you an extra layer of protection and support when facing spiritual attacks. These leaders can pray for you, offer wise counsel, and help you discern God’s will in your situation. Here are some ways to seek spiritual covering:

• Ask your pastor or church leaders to pray for you and offer guidance.
• Seek out a trusted spiritual mentor who can offer you support and accountability.
• Attend a spiritual retreat or conference where you can receive teaching and ministry.

Step 19: Stay Humble

Staying humble is an important attitude to cultivate when facing spiritual attacks. Pride and self-sufficiency can open the door to spiritual attack, while humility and dependence on God can offer you protection and strength. Here are some ways to stay humble:

• Acknowledge your weaknesses and limitations, and rely on God’s strength.
• Seek wise counsel and accountability from others.
• Offer forgiveness and grace to those who may have wronged you.

Step 20: Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Finally, giving thanks in all circumstances can help you maintain a positive attitude and perspective, even in the midst of spiritual attacks. When you thank God for His goodness and faithfulness, you acknowledge His sovereignty and trust in His plans for your life. Here are some ways to give thanks in all circumstances:

• Make a habit of thanking God for at least three things every day.
• Look for the good in every situation, even difficult ones.
• Trust that God is working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).

Step 21: Trust in God’s Protection

Trusting in God’s protection is crucial when facing spiritual attacks. The enemy may try to make you feel vulnerable and unprotected, but you can take comfort in the fact that God is with you and will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Here are some ways to trust in God’s protection:

• Pray for God’s protection and ask Him to cover you with His love and grace.
• Meditate on Bible verses that speak to God’s protection, such as Psalm 91.
• Declare God’s promises of protection over your life.

Step 22: Maintain Your Spiritual Disciplines

Maintaining your spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, and worship, can help you stay grounded and connected to God during spiritual attacks. These practices can also help you discern God’s will and stay aligned with His plans for your life. Here are some ways to maintain your spiritual disciplines:

• Set aside regular times for prayer and Bible study.
• Participate in worship services and small group studies.
• Seek out Christian community and fellowship.

Step 23: Repent and Seek Forgiveness

Repentance and seeking forgiveness can be powerful tools for breaking through spiritual strongholds and finding freedom and healing. Confessing your sins and shortcomings to God and others can help you release any hold that the enemy may have over you. Here are some ways to repent and seek forgiveness:

• Confess your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness.
• Seek forgiveness from those you may have wronged or hurt.
• Forgive those who have wronged you and release any bitterness or resentment.

Step 24: Walk in Faith and Obedience

Walking in faith and obedience to God’s will is a powerful way to resist the enemy and overcome spiritual attacks. When you trust in God’s plan for your life and obey His commands, you demonstrate your faith and commitment to Him. Here are some ways to walk in faith and obedience:

• Seek God’s guidance and direction in every decision you make.
• Obey God’s commands and follow His will, even when it is difficult.
• Trust in God’s faithfulness and provision for your life.

Step 25: Seek Professional Help if Necessary

If you are struggling with persistent spiritual attacks, it may be helpful to seek professional help from a Christian counselor or pastor. These professionals can offer you support, guidance, and insights into how to overcome your specific challenges. Here are some ways to seek professional help:

• Ask your pastor or church leaders for recommendations.
• Look for Christian counselors or therapists in your area.
• Seek out support groups or ministries that specialize in spiritual warfare.

Conclusion

Overcoming spiritual attacks is a journey that requires faith, perseverance, and reliance on God’s power and promises. By following these steps and seeking God’s guidance, you can emerge from any spiritual attack stronger and more resilient than before. Remember to trust in God’s protection, maintain your spiritual disciplines, seek forgiveness and repentance, walk in faith and obedience, and seek professional help if necessary. With God’s help, you can overcome any spiritual attack that comes your way.