Spiritual attacks are real, and if you’ve ever been through one, you know how heavy it feels. It’s that deep, unsettling pressure in your chest, the overwhelming wave of fear, or the constant negative thoughts that creep into your mind, whispering lies. Maybe you’ve been feeling drained, like no matter how much you pray, read scripture, or worship, something is just off. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
I’ve been there—more times than I’d like to admit. And let me tell you, knowing how to pray when under spiritual attack can make all the difference. So grab your coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing), and let’s talk about how to push back against the darkness with faith and prayer.
1. Pray with Authority – You’re Not Powerless
When you’re under attack, your prayers need to come from a place of authority, not fear. Fear tells you that you’re weak and helpless, but the Bible reminds us that we have the power of Christ within us.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Notice the word resist—that means standing firm, not backing down. When I went through a particularly rough spiritual battle last year, I remember waking up in the middle of the night feeling completely paralyzed by fear. My mind was racing with worst-case scenarios, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. But instead of caving in, I whispered, “Jesus, I belong to You. The enemy has no hold over me.” And just like that, the fear started to fade.
So when you pray, don’t just beg for relief—declare victory. Say it out loud if you have to: “Satan, you have no power here. I am covered by the blood of Jesus.”
2. Use Scripture as Your Weapon
You wouldn’t go into battle without a weapon, right? Well, the Bible is called the “Sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) for a reason. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn’t argue with Satan—He quoted scripture. (Talk about setting the perfect example!)
So, if you’re feeling attacked, grab hold of some powerful Bible verses and speak them over your life. Here are a few that have personally helped me:
- “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” – Isaiah 54:17
- “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” – Psalm 27:1
- “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Write them down. Stick them on your mirror. Set them as your phone wallpaper. The more you repeat these truths, the more they’ll sink into your spirit and drown out the enemy’s lies.
3. Pray Like a Catholic Warrior (Even If You’re Not Catholic)
Whether you’re Catholic or not, one thing you’ve gotta admire about Catholic tradition is how seriously they take spiritual warfare. Prayers like the St. Michael Prayer are powerful tools against darkness:
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil…”
Another powerful Catholic practice is praying the Rosary—a repetitive, meditative prayer that can bring immense peace. Even if you’re not familiar with it, simply saying “Hail Mary, full of grace…” can shift the atmosphere in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Spiritual attacks thrive in chaos. Catholic prayers, with their structure and authority, can help bring order when your mind feels like it’s spiraling.
4. Worship Until the Darkness Lifts
Ever noticed how hard it is to pray when you’re under attack? The last thing you wanna do is open your mouth and worship. But that’s exactly when you need to do it the most.
In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas were literally in chains, yet they started praying and singing hymns to God—and suddenly, there was an earthquake, and their prison doors flew open. Worship is a weapon that breaks chains.
When I feel oppressed, I put on my go-to worship playlist—songs like “Break Every Chain” by Tasha Cobbs or “Raise a Hallelujah” by Bethel Music—and just start singing. I don’t wait until I feel like worshiping. I worship until I feel the breakthrough.
5. Pray With Others – Don’t Fight Alone
The enemy loves isolation. He wants you to think you’re alone, that no one else understands, that you’re too much of a burden. Lies.
When you’re under attack, reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, or prayer group. Ask them to pray with you. Matthew 18:20 reminds us, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” There’s strength in numbers.
I remember one time, I was going through a major attack, and a friend sent me a voice memo praying over me. Just hearing her say, “Lord, we cancel every plan of the enemy against [my name]” made me feel so much stronger. Don’t underestimate the power of community.
Final Thoughts: Fight Back & Stay Grounded
Spiritual attacks can be quite frightening, but you can still triumph over it. You’ve got everything you need to fight back—prayer, scripture, worship, and community.
The next time you feel overwhelmed, remember this: You are not powerless. You are not alone. And this battle? It’s already been won.
Now, I’d love to hear from you—have you ever faced a spiritual attack? What prayers or scriptures helped you through it? Drop a comment below and let’s encourage each other!