Deliverance prayers have become a significant topic in the Catholic Church, offering a means to reverse the negative impact of demons on individuals and their surroundings. These prayers target emotions, thoughts, desires, and spirits, addressing illnesses and infestations caused by malevolent forces.
Father Chad Ripperger, a well-known figure in this field, has compiled a book of deliverance prayers to provide guidance and clarity. This article delves into the specifics of these prayers, their origins, and the authority required to use them effectively.
The Genesis of Deliverance Prayers
Father Ripperger put together the deliverance prayers book a couple of years ago in response to frequent inquiries about which prayers to use for specific situations. The compilation includes prayers from various sources, including books given to him by other exorcists during his training.
Many of these prayers are quite old, originating from exorcists who had been using them for some time. One exception is the prayer to break the Freemasonic curse, which was initially drafted by a Protestant but was thoroughly edited and Catholicized by Father Ripperger to address specific issues and remove Protestant terminology.
Authority in Prayer
The effectiveness of deliverance prayers hinges on the concept of authority, which, according to Father Ripperger, comes from God through two avenues: Divine Positive Law and Natural Law.
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- Divine Positive Law: This refers to the authority structure within the Church, established by God through revelation. Priests, for instance, have the authority to pray over individuals unless restricted by their bishop.
- Natural Law: This dictates that authority is derived from one's obligations and duties in relation to another person. This is particularly relevant in the family structure.
Within the family, the husband has authority over his wife and children, allowing him to say commanding prayers. The wife has authority over the children and rights in relation to her husband's body through the marital contract, enabling her to command demons to leave him. Siblings can also command demons in relation to each other due to obligations under the fourth commandment.
It's crucial to understand these authority structures to avoid retaliation from demons. Engaging in prayers outside one's rightful authority can lead to negative consequences.
Conversely, strangers should not perform prayers over others, as this can lead to further complications. Father Ripperger recounts instances where well-intentioned lay people involved in charismatic renewal caused harm by attempting to cast out demons without proper authority, necessitating cleanup by exorcists.
Power and the Authority Structure | Father Chad Ripperger
Types of Deliverance Prayers
There are two primary forms of binding prayer in deliverance:
- Imprecatory Prayer: This involves directly commanding demons to leave. It should only be used by those who have authority over the individual.
- Deprecatory Prayer: This is asking God to cast the demons out for you.
Choosing the appropriate form depends on the authority of the person praying. Misuse can render the prayers ineffective or invite retaliation.
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The Saint Michael Prayer
The Saint Michael prayer exists in several versions, each with different permissions for use:
- Longest Form: Promulgated by Leo XIII, but its use is now forbidden to all Catholics.
- Redacted Version: Restricted to priests with the permission of their ordinary (bishop).
- Longer Prayer in The Raccolta: Anyone can use this version.
- Normal Saint Michael Prayer: The common prayer that everyone can use.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial to avoid misusing the prayers and facing potential retaliation.
Engaging with the Devil
While it is important not to seek out conflict with the devil, ignoring him when he appears is not an option. As St. Paul states, believers must engage the ancient serpent to win the crown of glory.
Practical Application of Binding Prayers
Binding prayers target specific problems, calling on Jesus to command demons to leave. Here are a couple of examples:
- Binding Prayer (Cloistered Nuns):
“Jesus, I place (person’s name) in your Sacred Heart and I ask You to triumph over (problem). Jesus, I pray that (person) responds to this grace in (his/her) life. In the name of Jesus, I bind the demons of (problem) from attacking (person) and put these demons at the foot of the Cross at Calvary for Jesus to deal with them as He wills. Amen”
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- Binding Prayer (Father Ripperger):
“Spirit of (name of spirit) I bind you in the Name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Cross, by the power of the most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, the blessed Apostles, Peter, and Paul, and all of the saints, and I command you to leave (Person’s name) and go to the foot of the Cross (you can add “at Calvary” if you choose to) to receive your sentence, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen”
Understanding Retaliation
Praying deliverance prayers can open one up to retaliation from demons. This can manifest in various ways, such as computer issues, illness, or anxiety. Binding the spirit of retaliation after praying deliverance prayers is vital.
Experiencing retaliation indicates that the prayers are effective. It is important not to be discouraged by backlash but to continue praying, as these prayers empower individuals to combat evil.
Avoiding Deceptive Tactics
The devil may try to overwhelm individuals by convincing them to pray every deliverance prayer available. It is essential to focus only on the prayers that pertain to specific situations and avoid falling prey to these deceptive tactics.
Additional Tips for Effective Binding Prayers
Some small additions can enhance the effectiveness of binding prayers:
- Include a petition asking Jesus that the person respond to the grace of the prayer.
- Specify that the demons be sent to the Cross at Calvary, ensuring they go to the intended destination.
Familial Lines of Authority
According to Father Ripperger, parents can pray imprecatory prayers for their daughter until she is married. However, opinions on this specific topic may vary among exorcists.
A Parent’s Prayer for Adult Children
Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti has composed a prayer specifically for parents of adult children:
“Heavenly Father, I invoke the full authority you have given me as a spouse and a parent and I lift any curses, spells, seals, hexes, vexes, consecrations, voodoo, or any occult action or any evil affecting me or my spouse or my children who are minors. In Jesus’ name, I cast out all evil spirits that are harming us. In Jesus’ name, I reject them, I rebuke them, I renounce them, and I cast them out! For my adult children, I beg you, Heavenly Father to hear a parent’s plea and free them from any of these occult actions or any evil, and cast out all evil spirits. Father, I beseech you to send a spirit of unity and peace to my family. Heal the divisions in our family; may those family members who are estranged from each other be reconciled in forgiveness and love. May we live together in your peace. I pray for special healing graces for each one of us. Heal the wounds that plague us- heal any depression, anxiety, fears, compulsions, addictions, angers, resentments, and any and all mental and physical illnesses. Restore us to full health. I especially ask for the following specific grace for my family, if it be your holy will (here mention the specific intention silently or out loud). Most of all, may you infuse into our hearts the gift of faith, always trusting in you. Bring back any of us who have wandered from the faith. May we be fully protected from all harm and evil by the Shield of Faith and the Sword of Truth. I make this parent’s prayer in the holy name of Jesus begging the powerful intercession of the Holy Family with the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, and all the saints. Amen”
Addressing Common Questions
Question: My traditional (FSSP) Priest told me that I should not pray deliverance or binding prayers from the book: 'DELIVERANCE PRAYERS for use by THE LAITY. He strongly advised me against this practice.
Answer: Based on the authority structure, you are the husband and father and head of the household. You have been given an office, therefore you have an obligation to exercise that authority. Those under your authority are protected and provided for in your domestic church (CCC 1656; Acts 16:31; Joshua 24:15). It is good to work and consult with your parish priest. He knows you and your family best. In the Deliverance Prayers for the Laity book, read Fr. Ripperger's introduction as this will give some direction on when and what to pray. If you understand the authority structure, there are twofold ends to those entrusted with authority - to provide and to protect for your domestic church. Basic deliverance prayers are part of one's duties as head of household. To what extent is best determined within one’s own vocation and confessor / spiritual director or parish priest.
Question: Is the phrase "I bind you" a traditional part of Catholic exorcisms?
Answer: The phrase "I bind you" is indeed a part of traditional exorcisms, including those used by Catholic priests in certain rites. However, the exact wording can vary depending on the specific edition and translation. The 1614 Roman Ritual, compiled during the time of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, contains prayers and commands that include similar expressions of binding and commanding demons.
Biblical Basis for Binding Prayers
The concept of "binding" comes from the Bible, with over 70 instances of the word being used. Examples include Matthew 16:19 and Luke 10:19, emphasizing Christ’s granting of authority over evil spirits. Mark 3:27 explains that a person must be restrained before their possessions can be taken away.
Because Christ lives in us when we are in a state of sanctifying grace, we can ‘crush’ the devil under our feet, as mentioned in Romans 16:19-20. One way of doing this is through ‘prayers,’ especially ‘binding prayers.’ God will soon crush satan under our feet; to "crush" means to compress, squeeze, or break something into pieces, with a lot of force.
Authority and Its Limits
Fr Ripperger writes: “The Church in her wisdom and experience has always known that authority is one of the primary requisites in order to drive out a demon…For it is when we remain under the authority structure that God has established by the divine positive law (i.e. the authority of the Church) and the natural law, that we remain protected. A lay Catholic can do ‘binding prayers’ over himself, his wife, his children, his house and everything inside that house. That’s where his or her authority stops. One cannot do ‘binding prayers’ over places where they have no authority.
Stepping outside one's lane of authority opens oneself to diabolic retaliation against the marriage or the children, demons will attack the sacrament that unites one to God and the fruits of that sacrament, the children.
By understanding the principles and prayers outlined by Father Chad Ripperger, individuals can engage in spiritual warfare with greater knowledge and protection.
| Relationship | Authority to Pray Imprecatory Prayers? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Husband over Wife | Yes | Head of the household |
| Wife over Husband | Yes | Rights over his body through marital contract |
| Parents over Minor Children | Yes | Biological and adopted |
| Siblings over Siblings | Yes | Obligations under the fourth commandment |
| Grandparents over Grandchildren | No | |
| Godparents over Godchildren | No | Right to counsel, not command |
| Individuals over Themselves | Yes | |
| Priests | Yes | Unless restricted by bishop |
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