15 Protection Prayers from Evil People
Navigating a world with difficult people is a universal challenge. But sometimes, we encounter individuals whose intentions go beyond mere difficulty—they are malicious, manipulative, or actively seek our harm. In these moments of vulnerability, fear can easily take root. As believers, our first and most powerful response is to turn to God, our ultimate Protector and Refuge.
Prayer is not a magical shield that makes us immune to hardship, but it is our direct line to the One who commands legions of angels. It aligns our hearts with His will, sharpens our discernment, and covers us in a peace that defies our circumstances. These 15 prayers are designed to be your spiritual armor, helping you to stand firm in faith when facing opposition from others.
Prayers for Divine Protection and Wisdom
1. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection
“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
Psalm 34:7 (NIV)
Reflection: This powerful image from the Psalms paints a picture of a divine, military-grade encampment surrounding you. It’s not just a flimsy fence but a vigilant, angelic guard. Praying for a “hedge of protection” is asking God to establish this divine boundary that evil cannot penetrate.
Lord God, my fortress and my shield, I ask you to place a hedge of protection around me and my loved ones. As your angel encamps around those who fear you, let your presence be a shield against all harm, malice, and wicked intentions. Deliver me from any trap the enemy has set. Amen.
2. A Prayer for Discernment of Spirits
“…but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
1 John 4:1 (NIV)
Reflection: Not all evil is obvious. Manipulation and deception are often subtle. This prayer is a plea for spiritual wisdom to see beyond the surface, to discern the true motives and spirits behind people’s words and actions, so you can respond with wisdom instead of naivety.
Holy Spirit, Giver of all wisdom, I ask for the gift of discernment. Grant me clarity to see people and situations as You see them. Protect me from deception and manipulation. Help me to test every spirit and to recognize what is from You and what is not, so I may walk in Your truth. Amen.
3. A Prayer Against Slander and Gossip
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)
Reflection: Words can be powerful weapons. Slander and gossip are designed to destroy your reputation and spirit. This promise from Isaiah declares that these verbal weapons will ultimately fail. Praying this verse is claiming your heritage as a child of God: His vindication is greater than any accusation.
Lord of Truth, I come against every lying tongue and every word of slander spoken against me. I stand on Your promise that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Silence the voice of the accuser and vindicate me in Your perfect time. Protect my reputation for the sake of Your glory. Amen.
4. A Prayer to Be Hidden from Those with Evil Intent
“Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the scheming of evildoers.”
Psalm 64:2 (NIV)
Reflection: This is a prayer for divine invisibility. It’s asking God to make you unseen by those who are actively plotting your downfall or seeking an opportunity to harm you. It’s a request for God to be your ultimate hiding place, shielding you from their notice.
Father God, my hiding place, I ask you to conceal me from the eyes and plots of the wicked. When they look for me to do me harm, let them not find me. Cover me with Your feathers, and under Your wings let me find refuge. Be my secret keeper and my safe place from their schemes. Amen.
5. A Prayer for Breaking Curses and Ill Will
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’”
Galatians 3:13 (NIV)
Reflection: Whether you believe in formal “curses” or simply the power of concentrated negative intent from others, Christ’s work on the cross is the final word. He became a curse for us so that we could be free. This prayer applies that finished work to any spiritual attack or ill will directed at you.
Lord Jesus, I thank You that on the cross You broke every curse. I stand in Your victory now. By the power of Your blood, I break any curse, hex, or negative word spoken against me. I declare that I am redeemed and blessed. What God has blessed, no man can curse. Amen.
6. A Prayer for Wisdom in Setting Boundaries
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Reflection: Divine protection often works in partnership with our God-given wisdom. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing we can do is to create distance from harmful people. This prayer is for the wisdom to know when and how to set healthy boundaries to protect your peace and well-being.
God of Wisdom, protect me from my own lack of judgment. Show me where I need to establish healthy boundaries in my relationships. Give me the courage and the words to lovingly but firmly create distance from those who would cause me harm. Guide my steps away from foolish companions. Amen.
7. A Prayer to Overcome Evil with Good
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Reflection: This is a radical, counter-intuitive strategy for spiritual warfare. Our instinct is to retaliate, but God calls us to a higher path. This prayer asks for the grace to respond not in kind, but with goodness, which disarms the enemy and demonstrates the superior power of God’s love.
Heavenly Father, my flesh wants to repay evil for evil. But I choose Your way. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to overcome this evil with good. Deliver me from bitterness and a desire for revenge. Let my response be one of grace that brings glory to You. Amen.
8. A Prayer for Protection of Your Family
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
Reflection: When we are threatened, our concern often extends to our family. This prayer places your loved ones under the umbrella of God’s faithfulness. It’s a declaration of trust that the same God who protects you is also watching over them, strengthening them against spiritual attack.
Faithful Lord, I entrust my family into Your hands. Be a shield around my spouse, my children, and my home. Strengthen each of them and protect them from the evil one and from those who would carry out his schemes. Let our home be a sanctuary of peace and safety under Your watchful care. Amen.
9. A Prayer for Peace That Surpasses Understanding
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Reflection: Sometimes the attack from evil people is not physical but mental and emotional. They stir up anxiety, fear, and confusion. This prayer asks for a supernatural peace to stand guard over your heart and mind, protecting your inner world even if the outer world is in turmoil.
Prince of Peace, my heart is in turmoil and my mind is anxious because of this conflict. I ask for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Let it stand guard over my heart and mind. Protect my inner world from the chaos and fear that others are trying to inflict. Let me rest in You. Amen.
10. A Prayer for Protection from Manipulation
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
Reflection: Manipulators prey on timidity and self-doubt. This prayer claims the spirit God has actually given you—one of power to stand firm, love as your motivation, and self-discipline (or a sound mind) to think clearly and not be swayed by emotional games.
Lord, deliver me from the spirit of timidity that makes me vulnerable to manipulation. Fill me with Your Spirit of power to stand firm in the truth, love to see the situation clearly, and a sound mind to not be controlled by guilt or fear. Expose every manipulative tactic and give me the strength to resist. Amen.
11. A Prayer for the Conviction of Your Enemies
“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”
Romans 10:1 (NIV)
Reflection: This prayer shifts your perspective from defense to redemption. Paul, who was persecuted relentlessly, prayed for the salvation of his persecutors. This is the ultimate act of “overcoming evil with good.” You pray for God to intervene in their lives, not with wrath, but with conviction and mercy that leads them to repentance.
Merciful Father, like Paul prayed for his people, my heart’s desire for those who oppose me is that they would come to know You. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would bring conviction into their hearts. Turn them from their wicked ways and lead them to the truth and salvation found only in Jesus. Amen.
12. A Prayer to Be Clothed in Spiritual Armor
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
Reflection: Our fight is ultimately not against flesh and blood. This prayer is an active, intentional act of putting on the spiritual resources God has provided: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit. It prepares you for spiritual battle.
Almighty God, I put on the full armor You have provided. I gird my waist with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, and fit my feet with the gospel of peace. I take up the shield of faith to extinguish all flaming arrows, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. Help me to stand firm. Amen.
13. A Prayer for Divine Justice
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”
Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV)
Reflection: When we are wronged, it’s tempting to seek our own justice. This prayer releases the situation into the hands of the only perfectly just Judge. It’s an expression of trust that God sees the injustice and will act in His perfect way and timing to make things right.
Righteous Judge, I have been wronged, and I feel powerless. I release my desire for vengeance and I place this entire situation in Your hands. You are a God of justice who does no wrong. I trust You to bring about true justice and to defend my cause according to Your perfect will. Amen.
14. A Prayer to Break Soul Ties with Toxic People
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Reflection: Sometimes, our connection to a harmful person feels like a spiritual or emotional chain. This prayer is an act of spiritual “cutting of the cord.” It applies the freedom Christ bought for you to sever any unhealthy emotional or spiritual connection (soul tie) that allows a toxic person to continue influencing your life.
Lord Jesus, You set me free. In Your name, I now sever any unhealthy soul tie between myself and [Name of person, or “this person”]. I renounce any hold they have over my thoughts, emotions, and spirit. I declare myself free from this yoke of slavery and I stand firm in the freedom You have given me. Amen.
15. A Prayer of Trust in God’s Ultimate Power
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Reflection: This is the ultimate prayer of confidence. It reframes the entire situation. The power and intent of any evil person pale in comparison to the sovereign power of God who is on your side. This prayer anchors your soul in the truth that with God’s backing, no opposition can truly prevail against you.
Sovereign Lord, when I look at my opposition, I feel small. But when I look at You, my fear fades. You are for me, so who can truly stand against me? I choose to trust in Your power over their schemes. I declare my faith in Your ultimate victory in my life. You are my defender, and in You I am safe. Amen.
An Important Note: Prayer and Practical Wisdom
Prayer is our most powerful weapon, but God also grants us wisdom for our protection. These prayers are not a substitute for taking necessary, practical steps to ensure your safety and well-being.
- Seek Wise Counsel: Talk to a trusted pastor, mentor, or counselor about your situation.
- Set Physical Boundaries: It is not un-Christian to block a phone number, avoid certain places, or create physical distance from someone who is harassing or harming you.
- Involve Authorities: If you are being threatened, stalked, or are in any physical danger, you must contact law enforcement immediately. God works through the authorities He has put in place to protect citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about how to treat enemies?
Jesus gives a radical command in Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This doesn’t mean we must feel affection for them or trust them. It means we actively will their good, refuse to seek revenge, and pray for their repentance and salvation. It’s a command that protects our own hearts from being consumed by bitterness.
Is it wrong to pray for God to punish someone?
It’s better to pray for God’s justice rather than our version of punishment. The Psalms are full of “imprecatory prayers” where David calls for God’s judgment on his enemies. However, our ultimate model is Christ, who said, “Father, forgive them.” A mature Christian prayer is to release the person to God’s perfect justice, trusting that He will handle it rightly, while we pray for their conviction and repentance.
In the face of malice, let your heart be anchored in the unchanging character of God. He is your shield, your fortress, your deliverer, and your vindicator. Walk in wisdom, pray with faith, and rest in the assurance that the One who is for you is greater than anyone who is against you.
