Prayer for Those Who Are Being Deceived

Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where Satan is amping up his activity in order to deceive people. He knows his time of an end is drawing near. The Bible is VERY clear about the rise and increase of false prophets and deception as we near the coming of Christ and the end times. We need to expect that there WILL BE those attempting to deceive us (and some even doing so in the name of and purportedly for the cause of Christ).

Some deception also comes, not just from other people, but from Satan or evil spirits attacking our minds and thought life with lies. Many people also start to believe things contrary to scripture, Biblical teaching, and godly living simply because of their own desires. They simply don’t want to believe the truth.

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

As the time of Christ’s return nears, deception will increase. It will come from others, from evil spiritual forces, and from within ourselves and our own desires.

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When those we care about are being deceived

It’s very hard to see someone you love or care about being deceived and believing lies. It’s especially difficult when they seem so far gone and are not receptive to hearing or discussing the truth. All is not hopeless or lost though!  We can pray for them because our prayers are extremely powerful!

“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16b (NLT) 

After studying and researching how and what to pray for those who are being deceived or believing lies, I compiled a list of things to pray followed by scriptures that these prayers are based upon. You can pray these items in part, or I’ve also combined them as a collective prayer at the bottom of this post (with an image to save, pin, or print).

Take Some Practical Steps to Pray for Those Who Are Being Deceived:

Lord, I believe _____ is being deceived.

Protect _____’s mind, and help him/her to take every deceptive thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Transform him/her by changing the way he/she thinks in order to know and do your will. 

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

“May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:21 (NLT)

Keep Satan from outsmarting him/her, and help him/her to recognize his evil schemes.

“so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NLT)

Help _____ to submit him/herself to God and resist the devil and his schemes so that he will flee.  

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)

I pray that you will open _____’s eyes and turn him/her from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.

“To open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” Acts 26:18 (NLT)

Stop Satan from blinding his/her mind.

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)

Remove any scales/blinders from his/her eyes because I know you have the power to open the eyes of the blind.

“The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down. The LORD loves the godly.” Psalm 146:8 (NLT)

“You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.” Isaiah 42:7 (NLT)

“And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17 (NIV)

“Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.” Acts 9:18 (NLT)

Guide _____, and open his/her eyes to know and see the truth, and let the truth set him/her free.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” John 16:13 (NLT)

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NLT)

“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” John 17:17 (NLT)

“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” Psalm 119:18 (NLT)

I pray that he/she stops believing a lie(s). I pray that the eyes of _____’s understanding would be enlightened.

“the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:18 (NKJV)

Reveal the lies, deception, and those things that are hidden or concealed.

“For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” Luke 8:17 (NLT)

“The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” Luke 12:2-3 (NLT)

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” Matthew 10:26 (ESV)

“For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.” Mark 4:22 (NLT)

“So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time–before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)

“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:22 (ESV)

“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10 (ESV) 

Keep _____ from being deceived, from others or even his/her own thinking.

“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Matthew 24:4 (NIV)

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NIV)

“Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” Mark 13:5 (NIV)

“He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” Luke 21:8 (NIV)

““But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the LORD and serve and worship other gods.” Deuteronomy 11:16 (NLT)

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

“But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13 (NLT)

“He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (NLT)

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15 (NIV)

“For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.” Matthew 24:24 (NLT)

“For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.” Mark 13:22 (NLT)

“So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.” 1 Peter 2:1 (NLT)

“For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit” 1 Peter 3:10 (ESV)

“Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.” 1 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

Help him/her not to believe everyone who claims to be a Christian or speak on behalf of God.

“Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:30 (NIV)

“These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NLT)

“Even though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won’t be real. Don’t have anything to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:5 (CEV)

“You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.” Galatians 5:7-10 (NLT)

“And the LORD said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.” Jeremiah 14:14 (ESV)

‘“I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for me. I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying.” Jeremiah 23:21 (NLT)

“Therefore,” says the LORD, “I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me. I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the LORD!’ I am against these false prophets. Their imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Jeremiah 23:30-32 (NLT)

“But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the LORD.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” Jeremiah 23:36 (NLT)

Give him/her wisdom to discern what and who he/she should listen to.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful” Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” Philippians 1:9-10 (ESV)

“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14 (ESV)

“But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT)

Keep _____ from following deceptive spirits and teachings, and help him/her to only listen to sound, wholesome teachings and to listen to and recognize your voice and no other.

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world…” 2 John 1:7a (ESV)

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” John 10:4-5 (NIV)

Protect him/her from people masquerading as teachers who are confusing him/her with a misleading, counterfeit teaching.

“I am astonished and extremely irritated that you are so quickly shifting your allegiance and deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different [even contrary] gospel; which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, counterfeit teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not].” Galatians1:6-7 (AMP)

“I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray.” 1 John 2:26 (NLT)

Let no one deceive _____ in any way with any kind of empty words or philosophies or well-crafted arguments.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 5:6 (NIV)

“I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.” Colossians 2:4 (NLT)

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” Colossians 2:8 (NLT)

“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.” Hebrews 13:9 (NIV)

Keep him/her from being influenced by tricks and lies that are so clever they sound like the truth.

“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)

Don’t let him/her be carried away by strange or divisive teachings.

“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.” Romans 16:17-18 (NLT)

Right now, I rebuke false prophets, teachers, or spirits that would secretly bring in destructive lies.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 (NIV) (see also Matthew 18:18)

Keep them _____ being fooled. Protect him/her from wolves that come in sheep’s clothing.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15 (NIV)

Keep him/her from believing and wasting time on conspiracy theories, myths, and meaningless speculations.

“Do not call everything a conspiracy that these people say is a conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not be terrified.” Isaiah 8:12 (CSB)

“In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots and conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter (pavilion) from the strife of tongues.” Psalm 31:20 (AMP)

“Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.” 1 Timothy 1:4 (NLT)

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness” 1 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)

Let him/her have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies that breed quarrels.

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” 2 Timothy 2:23 (ESV)

Help him/her to test what he/she is hearing, reading, thinking, or believing to see if it’s actually from you.

“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” 1 John 4:1 (NLT)

“But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NLT)

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.” Revelation 2:2 (ESV)

Your word says that a tree is known by its fruit. Help _____ to look for the fruit and evidence instead of believing a lie.

“For each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.” Luke 6:44 (ESV)

“You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:16 (NLT)

“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” Matthew 7:20 (NLT)

““A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.” Matthew 12:33 (NLT)

Keep _____ from being the fool who thinks his/her own way is right, and show him/her to be wise by listening to the advice and counsel of others.

“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.” Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)

Prayer for Those Who Are Being Deceived

Lord, I believe _____ is being deceived. Protect _____’s mind, and help him/her to take every deceptive thought captive make it obedient to Christ. Transform him/her by changing the way he/she thinks in order to know and do your will. Keep Satan from outsmarting him/her, and help him/her to recognize his evil schemes. Help _____ to submit his/herself to God and resist the devil and his schemes so that he will flee.  I pray that you will open _____’s eyes and turn him/her from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Stop Satan from blinding his/her mind. Remove any scales and blinders from his/her eyes because I know you have the power to open the eyes of the blind. Guide _____, and open his/her eyes to know and see the truth, and let the truth set him/her free. I pray that he/she stops believing a lie(s). I pray that the eyes of his/her understanding would be enlightened. Reveal the lies, deception, and those things that are hidden or concealed. Keep _____ from being deceived, from others or even his/her own thinking. Help him/her not to believe everyone who claims to be a Christian or speak on behalf of God. Give him/her wisdom to discern what and who he/she should listen to. Keep _____ from following deceptive spirits and teachings, and help him/her to only listen to sound, wholesome teachings and to listen to and recognize your voice and no other. Protect him/her from people masquerading as teachers who are confusing him/her with a misleading, counterfeit teaching. Let no one deceive _____ in any way with any kind of empty words or philosophies or well-crafted arguments. Keep him/her from being influenced by tricks and lies that are so clever they sound like the truth. Don’t let him/her be carried away by strange or divisive teachings. Right now, I rebuke false prophets, teachers, or spirits that would secretly bring in destructive lies. Keep _____ from being fooled. Protect him/her from wolves that come in sheep’s clothing. Keep him/her from believing and wasting time on conspiracy theories, myths, and meaningless speculations. Let him/her have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies that breed quarrels. Help him/her to test what he/she is hearing, reading, thinking, or believing to see if it’s actually from you. Your word says that a tree is known by its fruit. Help _____ to look for the fruit and evidence instead of believing a lie. Keep _____ from being the fool who thinks his/her own way is right, and show him/her to be wise by listening to the advice and counsel of others. I ask these things in Jesus’ name, and I thank you that _____ will no longer be deceived.

If it seems overwhelming to pray ALL of this for someone you know who is being deceived, just pick a few things out at a time or the parts most relevant to their situation to pray for. They are all based on scripture and are all powerful!

Is there anything specific you like to pray for people who are being deceived? Share it with us by leaving a comment below!

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)