Praying a Hedge of Thorns
Growing up in a Christian family and in church, I often heard people pray a “hedge of thorns” around someone. This type of prayer could be prayed on behalf of a person that might be wandering off track or pursuing things or people that may not be good for them. For some reason, it always makes me picture the scene in Sleeping Beauty where Maleficent makes a forest of thorns appear around King Stefan’s castle to block Prince Phillip. Of course, Phillip DID make it through that hedge of thorns…but then again that hedge was made by evil forces, not God. 🙂
The Bible gives an example of a hedge of thorns built by God:
“Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths. She shall pursue her lovers but not overtake them, and she shall seek them but shall not find them. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.’” Hosea 2:6-7 (ESV)
So when should we pray for a hedge of thorns? Here are a few examples when this prayer might be helpful…
Hedge of thorns for unfaithfulness in marriage
A hedge of thorns could be prayed around a spouse that is having an affair (or in danger of one). This is what was happening in the verse mentioned above (Hosea 2:6-7). Hosea’s wife, Gomer, was having affairs and being unfaithful to him. This hedge of thorns kind of blocks two ways. First, it can block the person for whom we are praying (our spouse in this example) by putting up an obstacle or stopping them from chasing after someone other than their spouse (us). Secondly, the hedge of thorns could also block our spouse’s partner from being able to get to our spouse by putting up a wall or hindrance to separate the two.
In this prayer, we are asking God to intervene on behalf of our marriage to separate an ungodly and unscriptural relationship. We have the right to pray this and can base this prayer on God’s Word that says that no one or nothing should separate what God has joined together in marriage…Not an outsider, not our spouse, and not even us.
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:6 (NIV)
Hedge of thorns for wrong relationships
This same hedge of thorns prayer could be prayed for any of our loved ones to separate them from any kind of wrong influence or relationship. It could be to prevent them from pursuing someone or to block someone that may be pursuing them. Praying a hedge of thorns might be helpful when a person has ungodly friends or people who may have a negative influence on them. According to the Bible, engaging with “bad company” can corrupt our good morals.
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
“You will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” Proverbs 22:25 (NLT)
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers” Psalm 1:1 (NIV)
Hedge of thorns for temptations to sin
A hedge of thorns might also be prayed to block any temptations to sin. Someone might be pursuing something that is harmful to them, to their family/friends, or to their spiritual growth. We might pray this prayer to stop or prevent them from engaging in any wrong choices. This prayer could especially be helpful to block any kind of addictions—substance abuse, drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, etc. Praying for an obstacle to hinder their pursuit of any kind of wrong influence can help them get back on track. By blocking them from harmful influences it can drive them back to a path of right living.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:13 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.” Psalm 106:3 (NIV)
“You bless all those who follow your commands from deep in their hearts and who never do wrong or turn from you. You have ordered us always to obey your teachings; I don’t ever want to stray from your laws. Thinking about your commands will keep me from doing some foolish thing…Young people can live a clean life by obeying your word.” Psalm 119:2-6, 9 (CEV)
Now, how do we pray this “hedge of thorns” prayer?
Take Some Practical Steps to Pray a Hedge of Thorns:
Prayer is extremely powerful and produces results (James 5:16)! Here is a prayer that you can pray to ask God to build a hedge of thorns around people dealing with some of the situations mentioned above (I’ve listed the scriptures upon which this prayer is based below):
Lord,
I ask you to build a hedge of thorns around _____. I pray that through this hedge any ungodly and/or wrong influences would lose interest and depart. Please also bind Satan from attacking _____’s mind, will and emotions. Protect _____’s mind, and help _____ to take every wrong thought captive make it obedient to Christ. Keep _____ from falling into sin. Help _____ to pursue and seek you with all of his/her heart instead of any seeking after any wrong influences. Protect _____ from any unsafe thing or person that would pursue him/her or that he/she would pursue. Block _____ from anything that might harm him/her. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Hedge of Thorns Prayer
This prayer is based on these scriptures:
“Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths. She shall pursue her lovers but not overtake them, and she shall seek them but shall not find them. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.’” Hosea 2:6-7 (ESV)
“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)
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 (ESV)
“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)
**Here is another similar post about praying a “Hedge of Protection”.
How has praying a hedge of thorns helped you or someone you know? Share with us by leaving a comment below.
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This in incredible. I had a vision as I closed my eyes of thorns ,it kinda scared me but I knew it must have been a warning ⚠️ after this alot if sufferings took place with my son and we have all been praying for him so much . I didn’t know what this meant when I saw the thorns but as I look back I understand. Thank you for this post and prayer!
Sincerely, Autumn.
Autumn, I’m so glad you found this! I have weird “visions” like that all the time (and they sometimes freak me out too 😂). It’s amazing when we come to learn their meanings. Praying for your son too!
I am happy for this prayer. I need prayer for my husband at 66years still having affairs with different sidechick, i have prayed all i can, even fight over it b4 i was introduced to this prayer group. Help to join hand and release him from the shameful act. 2 My 2 sons also need prayer, Tony and Ifechukwude Nwanze, Tony is having issue with an ungodly lady,we have trued speaking to him but he is finding it difficult to break, even the priest have intervene. Ifechukwude is living a reckless living. I pray that my heart desires will be met in Jesus name. Husband name. Augustine Nwanze. Thanks
Most definitely I will pray. I’ve added your husband and sons to my prayer list.
Good morning, I didn’t know when a young lady told me to pray a hedge of thorn because my husband is with another woman. But I’m so glad now I do an I so appreciate it. I know my husband is coming back. But God is giving me time to get myself all the way no more mistakes no more . 😊
Carol, I’m so glad too. Praying for you in what I’m sure is a very painful time. ❤️
I will definitely be praying a hedge of thorns around my husband and the woman he is seeing since we separated. He is far from God and I am praying for him to go back to God and to our family. I’ll be reading Hosea tonight too!
Agreeing with you in prayer Lindsey. I’m so sorry for this painful time for you. Praying for extra measures of grace and patience for you too. Prayer is very powerful and you have authority!
I love this prayer ….each time I pray it my husband comes home…
God is faithfull and God is Our Redeemer
Hallujah…
Please keep me and my husband Andre in your prayers please because this woman is using witchcraft on him..
Shalom
Charlene
Charlene, I’m praying for you and Andre. Praying protection for your marriage.
Please pray for my husband David’s salvation and deliverance. Pray that he would not seek after women on social media & that God would put a hedge of thorns to protect him from these women.
Also, we are separated for a couple of weeks…
Please pray for healing and restoration.
Please pray that his heart would be turned to God and his family.
Leah, I’m so sorry you are going through this. It must be heartbreaking for you. I am definitely praying and will continue to do so. May God give you comfort and grace through this process. Love you. 💛
Thank you so much for your prayers Robin
Blessings…Love you too ❤️
Thank you I’ve been praying this for my wife and for our marriage we’ve been separated for a year and she won’t talk to me or tell me why.
Matthew,
Praying God heals your marriage.
God bless,
Tracy
Pray with me that my unbelieving husband, Nassoro, will come to Christ and that all that is ungodly in his life will lose hold of him. Also pray for my son Anthony that all evil influences shall depart from him. I am.praying a hedge of thorns around them, in Jesus’ mighty name.
Nerea.
Nerea, Praying with you for your husband and son.
Has this prayer work for anyone
Yes ma’am, it has. James 5:16 says, “…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This prayer also worked for Hosea. However, I do want to add that it’s not a magic formula that if you say the right words, you’ll automatically and instantly get the right result. This prayer is meant more as a guide for those who may not know exactly how or what to pray and what scriptures on which to base their requests. God is really interested more in relationship with you and that you speak from your heart. I just try to verbalize what some people cannot, especially when they are in a place of pain. If you cry out to God, he will hear you. This prayer is just a resource to help people do that.
Great post. I’ve been praying this over my husband for months. Hoping this is the month for my breakthrough. Please pray for my marriage as well.
Absolutely. Praying with you AJ.
My wife Rebecca of 25 yrs tells me she wants a divorce b/c she’s not being heard. No marriage counseling or separation. Says no BF. Actions point otherwise. I pray the hedge of thorns prayer over her right now and at the foot of her bed each am while she’s still with me. I ask for others to raise us up as well, and I pray for them too.
Ken, Praying for Rebecca and your marriage along with you. Also praying guidance and comfort for you from the Holy Spirit as you navigate through some tough and painful circumstances.
Thank you for this post. I am praying it over my husband who I am separated from and my daughter who is estranged from me since being with someone who is not a good influence. I know God’s Word is alive and active and will perform what it was sent for.
You’re very welcome. Praying with you.
Thank you for this post.
Please inlude me in your prayer, my husband is leaving me and my son. He is so consumed of his current affair and become selfish and self centered. May he return back tohis old self, a loving husband and father .
Thank you.
M
I’m so sorry you and your son are having to go through that M. I will definitely add you to my prayer list.