How to pray against demons and spiritual warfare

Scripture is clear that believers are in a real spiritual battle: 'we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places' (Ephesians 6:12). The response is not fear but confident resistance: 'Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you' (James 4:7), and 'be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith' (1 Peter 5:8-9). Jesus gave believers real authority - 'I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy' (Luke 10:19) - and in one case of a demon that resisted, Jesus said the answer was 'prayer and fasting' (Mark 9:29).

Put on 'the whole armour of God' - truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the word of God, praying always in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:13-18). If you feel you are dealing with something beyond ordinary temptation, bring it to God directly and involve a trusted, mature believer or pastor (James 5:16) - you do not have to face it alone, and 'greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world' (1 John 4:4).