Growing up, I vividly remember my grandmother praying for us each time we embarked on our four-hour journey back home to Kiambu from Embu, Kenya. Without fail, she would say, “I cover you with the blood of Jesus for protection.” It was a heartfelt plea for God to grant us journey mercies. And for many believers in the African church, this “pleading” or “applying” the blood of Jesus is deeply woven into the fabric of our prayers. It’s like second nature—a practice so common that we often declare it without a second thought, assuming it’s theologically sound.
Pleading the blood of Jesus is deeply woven into the fabric of our prayers.
But have you ever paused to ask yourself: Is this practice really supported by scripture? Where did it originate? Does it align with what the Bible teaches about the blood of Jesus? Is pleading the blood of Jesus something God ever commands or expects us to do?
In this article I invite you to join me as we examine this phrase and practice in light of God’s word, exploring what the Bible does—and doesn’t—say on the topic.
Some Background to the Saying
To plead or apply the blood of Jesus in prayer is to activate his blood for healing, deliverance, or blessings by faith. Phrases like “I cover my house with the blood of Jesus,” or “I apply the blood of Jesus to this situation” are frequently used as a hedge of protection. The assumption is that Jesus’ shed blood has a unique power, which believers can wield to ward off evil, prevent assorted misfortunes, or even claim divine blessings.
Its origins can be traced to early Pentecostal traditions, notably California’s 1906 Azusa Street Revival. Preachers like William Seymour would plead the blood over individuals in search of healing, resulting in reported recoveries and spiritual experiences.
Today this practice is widely used by word of faith proponents. The word of faith movement teaches that speaking faith-filled words can manifest our desires. This aligns with the movement’s broader teaching that faith, when expressed through certain declarations, has the power to bring about health, wealth and prosperity.
For many Christians the blood of Jesus serves as an ever-available spiritual tool.
Thus for many Christians the blood of Jesus doesn’t only have the power to cleanse us from our sin, but serves as an ever-available spiritual tool for safeguarding our loved ones, property, or endeavours. It’s not uncommon to find believers applying the blood of Jesus over their children, homes, cars, jobs, journeys, or even business ventures, as though invoking a supernatural shield against potential harm.
Does the Bible Support Pleading the Blood of Jesus?
Proponents cite various Bible verses to justify the practice. Let’s examine two of the most commonly referenced passages and evaluate whether they support it.
1. Revelation 12:11
“They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
At first glance this verse seems to suggest that believers should invoke the blood of Jesus to gain fresh victory over Satan and his works in their daily lives. However, a deeper look at the context discloses a very different message.
The victory has already been accomplished through Christ’s finished work the cross.
Revelation 12 is part of a vision describing the conflict between God’s people and Satan. Revelation 12:11 teaches us that believers overcome Satan by two means. The first is “the blood of the Lamb,” referring to Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross, which secures their redemption. It represents the full payment for sin and the triumph over Satan’s accusations (Colossians 2:14–15; Revelation 1:5). The second is “the word of their testimony,” which underscores their faithfulness and perseverance in the gospel (Revelation 19:10).
A plain reading of this verse in its proper context reveals that it isn’t instructing believers to plead or apply Jesus’ blood in prayer for victory over daily circumstances. Instead, it points to the fact that this victory has already been accomplished through Christ’s finished work the cross.
2. Exodus 12:7, 13
“Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it… When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”
Israel were being saved from the judgment of God himself.
This passage recounts the institution of the Passover, where the Israelites were commanded to apply the blood of a lamb to their doorposts to protect their households from God’s final plague upon the Egyptians—the death of their firstborn children and animals (Exodus 12:12). Proponents of pleading the blood often argue that this event foreshadows the application of Jesus’ blood for physical protection.
However, the events in the Passover were a foreshadowing of Jesus himself, pointing to his ultimate sacrifice for sin. Just as the blood of the lamb protected the firstborn of the Israelites from physical death, now and forever the blood of Christ protects believers from eternal death by securing their redemption (1 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 10:11-14).
In both cases, it’s also essential to note that no one was being saved from the devil, evil spirits, or accidents. Instead, they were being saved from the judgment of God himself. The blood in both instances points to God’s provision to satisfy his own righteous judgment.
Why “Applying the Blood” Is Inappropriate for Christians
1. Jesus’ Shed Blood Focus Is for the Forgiveness of Sins
Once we place our faith in Christ, his blood is effectively already applied.
Almost every reference to Jesus’ blood in the Bible points to its role in forgiveness, atonement, redemption, and salvation. For example, Ephesians 1:7 declares: “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Hebrews 9:22 similarly reminds us that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
These verses make clear that Jesus’ blood was shed on the cross to reconcile sinners to God, by atoning for their sins (Hebrews 10:10).
Once we place our faith in Christ, his blood is effectively already applied to our lives. There’s no biblical basis for continually reapplying it to circumstances, objects, or people. Doing this shifts our focus away from the ultimate problem it addresses: alienation from God.
2. It’s Little More Than Superstition
Much of the “power” attributed to calling upon the blood of Jesus is frankly superstitious. This view often treats the blood as a kind of mystical force that we can invoke by using special, supernaturally powerful phrases to achieve an outcome we desire, especially in spiritual warfare.
Don’t treat the blood of Jesus as an incantation.
I personally believe that one of the reasons this practice is so prevalent in Africa is because of our traditional beliefs in evil spirits, curses, and witchcraft. This makes it very easy for us to treat the blood of Jesus as an incantation—a verbal tool to neutralise these forces.
However, believers fail to realise what this implies: that simply declaring the words “I plead the blood of Jesus” all but guarantees a desired change in circumstances or the devil’s defeat. It’s essentially treating the blood of Christ as though it has power on its own, apart from him. This makes his blood into a kind of “holy” charm or “Christian” talisman to be used at will, rather than a representation of his redemptive sacrifice.
3. It Ultimately Undermines the Christ’s Sufficiency
Pleading the blood diminishes the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work on the cross. The Bible teaches that Jesus himself, not his blood in isolation, is our mediator, advocate, intercessor, and Saviour (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1).
Jesus himself, not his blood in isolation, is our mediator, advocate and Saviour.
Elevating the blood of Jesus as a mystical tool for protection blinds believers from this fact. The fact is Christ’s atoning work has already “rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us into his kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13); and that through his sacrifice Jesus disarmed the “powers and authorities,” making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:13–15). Furthermore, 1 John 5:18 assures us that God protects those who have been born of him from ultimate harm.
We need to understand that the power of the blood can’t be separated from the person of Christ and his atoning work. Carelessly treating it as something that can be invoked independently of Christ undermines the gospel message, creating a situation where we ascribe a kind of power to Jesus’ blood that Scripture does not. All this distorts the true purpose of his sacrifice.
You Can Rest
The blood of Jesus was poured out to save us from the wrath of God.
Let’s always remember that the blood of Jesus was poured out to save us from the wrath of God; not to neutralise life’s inconveniences or potential spiritual threats. Our eternal hope, confidence, and protection rest fully in Christ. He is our Saviour, advocate, and king. Instead of “pleading the blood,” let us rest in the gospel. Let us trust in the sovereign, almighty God who lovingly watches over us and who daily supplies everything we need in Christ, according to his will.
