Praying Over Our Loved Ones is Powerful and Effective

A few days ago, I attempted to tie up a few loose ends for my book, and as I sat there trying to think, I couldn’t even put a thought together. It was a simple task, but I couldn’t do it. The more I tried to concentrate, the more anxious and confused I became. I was talking out loud to myself saying, “What is wrong with me? Why can’t I do this? I quickly became agitated and finally realized that I was under a spiritual attack. I prayed some deliverance prayers, but nothing changed. My husband came into the kitchen because he knew I was struggling. He asked me if I wanted him to pray over me. What?! We have been married for forty years, and he has never offered to pray over me. He isn’t even religious! I hesitated for a second. I had to process what just happened. Once I did, I unequivocally said, “Yes, I do!” I think that surprised him. But he said, “Okay, in a few minutes.” Then he went back into his office. Seriously! I gave him about 5 minutes before asking if he was going to do it. So he came into the kitchen and asked what he needed to do.

I told him to put his hands on my shoulders and then pray whatever prayer he wanted to in the Name of Jesus. He prayed the most beautiful prayer asking the Lord to help me. Immediately, my rapid heart rate slowed, and I felt calmer. I wasn’t perfect, but I was better. Before he even returned to his office, I found the information I was looking for. This was a wow moment for sure. Jesus heard his prayer and instantly answered it. I never doubted it, but I didn’t expect such a quick response. His prayer was powerful and effective. He prayed, and I was freed from a spiritual attack. When we open ourselves to God and place our trust in Him, He does amazing things for us.

This experience was a testament to the power of prayer. The devil tried to disturb me, and he was successful, but only until my husband prayed over me. I don’t think the devil expected that to happen. I believe that made his prayer for me that much more powerful. This attack against me showed my husband the power prayer holds, especially within the bonds of marriage and family. Maybe that is why the deliverance prayers weren’t effective; because the Lord wanted to show my husband something. God is in control. The devil and his demons can’t do anything without His permission. They can only do what God allows them to do. And if God allows it, it is for our good and can produce much fruit.

I am talking about prayer within the family, not outside the family. We have to stick to the authority structure as Father Ripperger teaches. Sometimes religious conferences and retreats have prayer teams available to pray over those people who want additional prayer. I have always avoided that because I was attacked by witchcraft and because I have no idea who these people are. I also believe that when we attend these religious conferences or retreats, God will give us everything He wants us to have. The people on these prayer teams may be fine, but they don’t have the authority to pray over strangers. But a priest can pray over people, so opt for a priest to pray over you at conferences and retreats rather than lay people. It is just the safer option, at least in my opinion.

“Never lay hands hastily on anyone, or you may be sharing in the misdeeds of others. Keep yourself pure.”

1 Timothy 5:22

We don’t have to wait until something bad happens in our families to pray over each other. This is something we can do every day. It could be a parent praying over a sick child or a wife praying over her husband to have a good day and vice versa. Whatever it may be that they need or that we wish for them that day. It is an expression of love for those we care so much about. It invites the Lord into our relationships and our homes. This is a great thing. Something that the Lord wants. It is another avenue where we take charge of our lives and our families and defeat the enemy.

Every day is a spiritual battle. We can either engage in it or do nothing. The latter only empowers the enemy. It doesn’t do a thing for us. I could have told my husband, no, you don’t need to pray over me. But where would that have gotten me? This experience proves that Jesus wants to work in this way. He wants to work in and through us, especially within the family. He wants us to come to Him asking for good things for our spouses and children. Many of us do that through private prayer, and that is good and very important. But we can also do that by praying over one another and asking the Lord for His help, His grace, and His healing. This practice may be unfamiliar or a little uncomfortable, but if we can overcome these obstacles we will be a step closer toward victory over our spiritual enemies.