This blog is extracted from our book Deliver Us From Evil –Prayers and Supplications Which May Be Used in the Struggle Against the Powers of Darkness. Additional  prayers for immediate protection, and other types of protection, can be found in the book.

In the early Church there were devout practices which sought protection from anything that was evil. Examples are: the thrice-daily praying of the Our Father, the use of psalms and other Old Testament scriptures. In addition to prayers were the protection given by Sacraments such as Baptism and the Eucharist, the use of sacramentals such as holy water and salt, making the sign of the cross and, within a few centuries, the displaying of a cross or crucifix. Today also sacraments and sacramentals continue to be very fitting accompaniments to prayer. Other powerful aids to prayer in our tradition are fasting and almsgiving.

In addition to these general activities are more immediate prayers used on occasions of perceived danger or temptation. This section provides prayers for immediate use in those times.

INVOCATIONS

Invocations to the Most Holy Trinity

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We invoke you, we praise you, we adore you,
O blessed Trinity
Our hope, our salvation, our glory,
O blessed Trinity.
Deliver me, save me, give me life,
O blessed Trinity.

Invocations to Our Lord Jesus Christ

When naming the Cross, the faithful may appropriately sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross.

Save me, O Christ the Saviour,
through the power of the ✠ Cross.
In the sea you saved Peter,
have mercy on me.

Through the sign of the ✠ Cross,
free us from our enemies, O Lord our God.

Save us through your ✠ Cross,
O Christ the Redeemer,
who by dying destroyed our death,
and by rising restored our life.

Invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary

We fly to your protection, O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but ever deliver us from all danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.

Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.

Grant that I may praise you, holy Virgin;
give me power against your enemies.

Most loving Virgin Mary,
hasten to my aid in all trials,
in my troubles and in my needs,
and beg for me from your beloved Son
deliverance from every evil
and from all danger to soul and body.

Invocation to Saint Michael the Archangel

Holy Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle.
Be our safeguard against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast down into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who wander through the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Litany Prayers

Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison. Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

Or:

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

*

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us (me).
Saint Michael, pray for us (me).
Saint Gabriel, pray for us (me).
Saint Raphael, pray for us (me).
Holy Guardian Angels, pray for us (me).
Saint John the Baptist, pray for us (me).
Saint Joseph, pray for us (me).
Saint Peter, pray for us (me).
Saint Paul, pray for us (me).
Saint John, pray for us (me).
All holy Apostles, pray for us (me).
Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us (me).

(The names of other Saints and Blesseds may be added.)

From all evil, Lord, we pray, deliver us (me).
From every sin, Lord, we pray, deliver us (me).
From the snares of the devil, Lord, we pray, deliver us (me).
From everlasting death, Lord, we pray, deliver us (me).
Christ, hear us (me). Christ, hear us (me).
Christ, graciously hear us (me).
Christ, graciously hear us (me).

PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE

Phrases from Scripture

O Lord, come to my rescue,
Lord, come to my aid. (Ps 39:14)
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise. (Jer 17:14)
Lord, save me (Matt 14:30)
God, be merciful to me a sinner (Luke 18:13)
Amen, Come, Lord Jesus. (Rev 22:20)

Find more prayers against the powers of darkness in Deliver Us From Evil

This an attractive volume a treasury of prayers and supplications from Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition that can be used by the faithful in spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness, in any time of fear, distress or temptation.

To defend yourself in the struggle against the powers of darkness, order your copy of Deliver Us From Evil today.