Pleading the Blood of Jesus

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

The blood of Jesus is mentioned in the scripture multiple times. And while the Bible doesn’t say “Plead the Blood of Jesus,” nor does it teach us to plead the blood. Many Christians use this phrase. But why do Christians plead the blood of Jesus? The belief is that the blood of Christ overrides all afflictions, attacks, and temptations. It is the path to forgiveness and a way to earn our place in Heaven. Pleading the blood of Jesus to save us and protect us when we feel defeated is a common practice among some Christians. Many feel like it is the most powerful thing they can do during prayer. People think or believe that their confidence in God’s word becomes stronger and somehow something magical will happen and God will listen; however, God is always listening, and he’s always watching over us whether we plead the blood or not. So while pleading the blood of Jesus won’t make it more likely for God to listen to us, it is essential to understand what it means. 

Depending on what religious denomination you are part of or where you grew up, you may or may not have heard about pleading the blood of Christ. The phrase refers to the blood Jesus shed when He died on the cross to forgive our sins. For many, pleading the blood of Jesus may be a common practice; however, we should understand that just because we plead the blood doesn’t mean we’ll get what we want. God’s will, will always be done. 

Moreover, pleading the blood of Jesus is not something the Bible teaches us. The blood of Jesus is mentioned numerous times throughout the scripture but pleading the blood is not part of its teachings. Pleading the blood of Jesus is not a must to make our prayers stronger nor to defeat evil. Evil has already been defeated. Evil has no power over us other than what God allows for His purpose. Thanks to Jesus, we have already been delivered from evil, and we must be thankful for that. 

Whether you plead the blood of Jesus during prayer or not, understanding its purpose, intention, or power is something we have to consider. If the phrase helps you, there’s no need to avoid it. But, know that our most powerful weapon against any spiritual warfare is surrendering to God and trusting He will lead us to victory. 

Read about the divine power of the Armor of God if you want to learn more about how to fight spiritual battles.