The practice of “pleading the blood of Jesus” is common in some Christian circles. It involves verbally pleading or claiming the power of Jesus’ shed blood for protection, deliverance, or healing. But is this practice biblical? Let’s take a look at what the Bible says.
The Meaning of Jesus’ Blood
In the Bible, the blood of Jesus refers to His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus said at the Last Supper, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). Hebrews 9:22 also says, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” So Jesus’ blood represents the atonement He made for our sins.
When we put our faith in Christ, we receive redemption through His blood (Ephesians 1:7). 1 Peter 1:18-19 describes this: “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Jesus paid the price with His blood to purchase our salvation.
So in summary, the blood of Jesus refers to His sacrificial death that atoned for our sins, allowing us to be forgiven and redeemed before God.
Praying in Jesus’ Name
The Bible encourages us to pray in Jesus’ name. Jesus said in John 14:13-14, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” Praying in Jesus’ name means praying according to God’s will and for His glory, recognizing that only through Jesus’ sacrifice are our prayers heard by the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16).
However, the Bible nowhere instructs Christians to literally plead the blood of Jesus in prayer. When we pray in faith according to God’s will, we don’t need to constantly repeat “in Jesus’ name” or “by the blood of Jesus.” Jesus looks at the sincerity of our hearts, not the specific words we use. But praying meaningfully in Jesus’ name reminds us that our access to God is only through Jesus’ atoning work.
Protection through Jesus’ Blood
Jesus’ blood redeems us from sin and protects us from judgment (Romans 5:9; 1 John 1:7). In the Old Testament, blood over the doorposts in Egypt protected Israelites from judgment (Exodus 12:13). This symbolized Jesus’ future sacrifice providing protection. But the only biblical example of literally applying blood for protection is at the first Passover. There are no instructions to apply Jesus’ blood literally for protection.
However, 1 John 5:18 says Jesus protects believers, and Revelation 12:11 says believers overcome Satan “by the blood of the Lamb.” As children of God covered by Jesus’ blood, we do receive spiritual protection through His sacrifice. But the protection comes from Jesus actively guarding us, not from us pleading His blood.
Healing through Jesus’ Blood
Isaiah 53:5 prophesies that Jesus’ sacrificial death would bring us healing: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Peter says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24). But again, the healing comes from Jesus’ sacrifice, not from us asking for healing by pleading His blood.
Faith in Christ’s sacrifice can result in physical healing (James 5:14-16). But we should ask God directly, not try to manipulate outcomes by continually pleading Jesus’ blood. We demonstrate faith through prayer and trusting God’s will, not by repeating certain phrases.
Deliverance through Jesus’ Blood
Revelation 12:11 says believers overcome Satan “by the blood of the Lamb.” Hebrews 2:14 says Jesus destroyed the devil, freeing us from bondage: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”
So Jesus sets us free from Satan’s power through His death. We receive that deliverance by faith, not by pleading His blood. The Bible does not instruct us to claim deliverance by constantly repeating “by the blood of Jesus.” Rather, we walk in freedom by reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11).
Pleading Jesus’ Blood in Prayer
Though well-intended, pleading the blood of Jesus is not modeled in Scripture. Nowhere do Jesus, the apostles, or early Christians literally plead or apply His blood for protection, healing, or deliverance. His blood redeems us from sin, but Christian prayer should be conversational, not ritualistic.
That being said, God knows our hearts. Someone may pray “I plead the blood of Jesus over this situation” in a sincere desire for Christ’s will, protection, and power to prevail. While not a biblical phrase, God honors sincere faith, not formulas. However, we shouldn’t see “pleading the blood” as a guaranteed technique or superstitious practice.
The problem is that “pleading the blood” can become a meaningless mantra or almost animistic if overused and relied upon ritually rather than prayerfully. It also isn’t necessary to repeat since Jesus already willingly shed His blood once for all. Believers already have everything through Christ’s blood.
How Should Christians Pray?
If pleading the blood is unnecessary, how should Christians pray? The Bible gives many examples:
- Pray with sincerity, not empty repetition (Matthew 6:7)
- Pray persistently and fervently (James 5:16-18, Colossians 4:12)
- Pray according to God’s will (1 John 5:14)
- Ask specifically (Matthew 7:7-11)
- Ask in Jesus’ name, recognizing our only access to God is through Him (John 14:13-14)
- Pray with humility (Luke 18:9-14)
- Pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6)
- Pray through the Spirit’s empowerment (Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:18)
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) provides a model for praying for God’s will, provision, forgiveness, and deliverance. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to “pray without ceasing” by maintaining continual conversation and communion with God.
Conclusion
Though not explicitly taught in Scripture, pleading the blood of Jesus represents relying on Christ’s sacrificial death for protection, healing, and deliverance from evil. However, biblical prayer emphasizes humility, persistence, and aligning our requests with God’s will.
Rather than ritualistically repeating phrases like “I plead the blood of Jesus,” we demonstrate faith through reverent, conversational prayer in Jesus’ name. Jesus Christ and His shed blood are absolutely essential for our salvation. But our prayers are effective because of Christ’s power and promises, not the repetition of certain words or formulas.
Through prayer offered in faith, the victory Jesus Christ secured through His death covers us. We can confidently draw near to God’s throne of grace knowing Jesus’ blood redeems us and His Spirit intercedes for God’s will to be done in our lives (Hebrews 4:16, Romans 8:26-27).