Praying for deliverance does not mean you are a weak child of God; rather, it shows that you trust in the infallible strength of your Father.
Have you ever felt like you’re fighting a battle you can’t win? Maybe it’s a recurring struggle you can’t shake. Maybe it’s a situation that keeps getting worse no matter how hard you try. Maybe it feels like invisible forces are working against you and you’re running out of strength.
If that’s where you are right now, I pray this article on praying for deliverance helps you get the victory you seek.
Here’s the truth: there is constant spiritual warfare raging all around us.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” — Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
But here is the even better news: you don’t have to fight this battle alone.
In our previous articles, we’ve covered why your prayers feel unanswered, how to pray in God’s will, and how God answers prayer. Now it’s time to apply everything you’ve learned to another critical area: praying for deliverance.
Let’s look at three powerful steps to break free from bondage, and then we’ll pray together. This is what praying for deliverance looks like in action.
What Deliverance Really Means
For the context of this prayer guide, the deliverance we are focused on is not the casting out of demons.
While demons can possess people, I do not believe a child of God full of the Holy Spirit can be possessed by demons. Jesus said:
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.” — Matthew 12:43-44 (NKJV)
Children of God are not empty. They are filled with the Holy Ghost.
However, there is constant spiritual warfare raging all around us. This leads to some of the challenges we face. To win this war, you need to be stronger than—or be allied with someone stronger than—these powers.
“Only someone stronger than the strongman can tie him up and plunder his house.” — Matthew 12:29 (NLT)
The only one stronger than all powers and authorities is Jehovah. He is the commander of heaven’s armies, the head of principalities and powers, and He sits far above every kingdom. He is therefore in the best position to deliver you.
So deliverance, in this context, is God fighting on your behalf. This is what praying for deliverance is all about.
The best part is that you are assured of victory because God already won. Jesus “disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public show of them, triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15 NKJV).
Why Would God Fight for You?
Here are two powerful reasons why God delivers His children.
1. To Prove Himself
“The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” — Exodus 7:5 (NKJV)
One of the ways Jehovah proves He is God is by “making a show” of other gods—demons. He does this so that both those who serve false gods and His own children will know that He reigns supreme over every other power. Here are three examples where He proved Himself in the Bible.
The Gods of Egypt
In Exodus, Jehovah and the gods of Egypt battled for supremacy during the first two signs by Moses. By the third sign, the gods of Egypt were overpowered spiritually (Exodus 7 & 8).
Dagon the Philistine God
Before God dealt with the Philistines for carrying away His Ark, He first dealt with their god Dagon. They had placed the Ark in Dagon’s temple, and when they came the next morning, Dagon had fallen on his face before the Ark. They set him back up. The following morning, Dagon had fallen again—this time with his head and hands cut off (1 Samuel 5:1-5).
David and Goliath
When David and Goliath fought, Goliath cursed David in the name of his god. David responded:
“I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” — 1 Samuel 17:45-46 (NKJV)
David understood that the battle was not about his skill with a sling. It was about proving who God is.
So, as Jehoshaphat was told, so I also tell you:
“Do not be afraid nor dismayed… for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” — 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NKJV)
2. Because You Are His Child
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let My people go, that they may serve Me.'” — Exodus 8:1 (NKJV)
Notice the phrase: “My people.”
God does not fight random battles. He fights for His people. The one thing Moses kept saying to Pharaoh was, “Let My people go.”
In John 17, Jesus made an interesting statement. While praying to the Father to keep His disciples safe from the evil one, He said:
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” — John 17:9 (NKJV)
For God to keep you from the evil one, you have to belong to Him.
“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” — 1 John 4:4 (NLT)
If you are His child, He fights for you. Not because you deserve it, but because you belong to Him.
When you understand why God fights for you, praying for deliverance becomes an act of faith, not desperation.
A Personal Testimony
After my quarterly performance review in 2018, I asked for a raise. My assessment was great as usual, so I decided to ask. Rather than accept or deny my request, my boss did a complete U-turn and questioned my relevance to the team. He then started the process of firing me.
I was shocked. I could not afford to lose my job. So I prayed. I asked God to fight for me.
Then another boss stepped in. I used to work closely with him before I was promoted. When he heard that I was about to be fired simply because I asked for a raise, he was angry. He asked if I would like to come back and work with him. I agreed. He brought me back to his team and promoted me to head of operations.
God did not only rescue me—He promoted me to a higher position.
If God can fight for me, He can fight for you too. This is why praying for deliverance is important.
Prayer Points for Deliverance
When praying for deliverance, you can use these prayer points as a guide. Personalise them. Pray them in your own words, from your own heart.
Prayer Point 1
Father, You said in Psalm 91 that You rescue those who love You and trust in Your name. Answer me, Lord, for I am in trouble. Rescue me from _____. No one but You can help the powerless against the mighty. Break the yoke of _____ from me. Do not let it rule over me (Psalm 91:14, Isaiah 30:8, 2 Chronicles 14:11). In Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point 2
Father, because of the covenant You made with me—sealed with the blood of Jesus—free me from _____ (Zechariah 9:11). For the sake of Your unfailing love, reach down from heaven and rescue me from those too strong for me (2 Samuel 22:17-18, Psalm 109:26). You said no weapon fashioned against me shall prosper, and wherever they gather against me, they shall be scattered. Be with me, Lord. Let their counsel against me not stand (Isaiah 54:15-17, Isaiah 8:10). In Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point 3
Lord God, You said You will fight against those who fight against me. For Your name’s sake, trample down on _____. Let them know that You are my Saviour and Redeemer (Isaiah 49:25-26, Psalm 108:13). For Your own honour and for the sake of Your Son Jesus, defend me (2 Kings 19:34). Let them see that it is Your doing. Show them that You are God (Psalm 109:27, 2 Kings 19:34). In Jesus’ name.
I Pray With You
Father, You are the commander of heaven’s armies. No power on earth or under the earth can stand against You. Right now, I ask that You fight for Your child. They are Yours. You have called them by name. Deliver them from the situation that has held them captive. Break every chain. Silence every accusing voice. Scatter every gathering formed against them. Let them walk in the freedom that Christ purchased for them. And let all who see know that You alone are God. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
So Where Do We Go From Here?
You now know how to pray for deliverance and receive God’s protection and victory.
But there are other areas of your life where you need God’s intervention—healing, provision, and more.
Next, we will learn how to pray for healing.
➡️ Read Next: Praying for Healing – A Scriptural Prayer Guide
But here’s the thing: praying for deliverance is essential, but having a complete prayer guide for every situation makes all the difference. Everything you’ve learned in this series is exactly what I unpack in my book, Praying Right—from the foundation of prayer to a complete scriptural prayer guide for every situation you face.
Stop hoping your prayers work. Start knowing they do.
Get your copy of Praying Right here and start praying with confidence today.