The Hidden Dangers of Soulish Prayer

Praying hands

The Hidden Dangers of Soulish Prayer

What happened when well-meaning Christians almost killed Watchman Nee with prayer

The Night Watchman Nee Almost Died From Prayer

Watchman Nee was sick for a year and vomiting blood.

Heart racing.

Lungs collapsing.

Doctors found nothing wrong. He knew exactly what was killing him. Five or six believers who loved him were “praying” night and day.

Not to God.

At him.

Pouring worry, fear, and their own will straight into his body like spiritual arrows. He called it soulish prayer.

And it nearly finished him off. When he finally renounced those prayers out loud and pleaded the blood of Jesus,

he was perfectly well by morning.

What Soulish Prayer Actually Is

Soulish prayer isn’t demon-possessed cackling.

It’s good people letting their mind, emotions, and stubborn will drive the car while the Holy Spirit rides in the trunk.

Examples you’ve probably heard (or prayed yourself):

• “Lord, make her marry me.”

• “God, force my kid home tonight.”

• “Strike that elder with conviction so everyone sees I’m right.”

We think we’re interceding.

We’re manipulating with a halo.

Why It’s Secretly Dangerous

James 4:3 doesn’t stutter:

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

Soulish prayer can:

• Open doors to confusion and division

• Invite demonic footholds

• Actually make the person you’re “praying” for get sicker, more confused, etc.

• Leave you bitter when God doesn’t follow your script

Watchman Nee said it works like a psychic projectile:

your strong desire shoots out and sometimes hits the target,

but it’s powered by flesh, not the Spirit.

The kickback can destroy you.

How to Spot It in Yourself (Quick Checklist)

Ask these before you say “Amen”:

• Am I demanding a specific outcome?

• Is this heavy on emotion and light on Scripture?

• Am I secretly trying to control someone?

• Would I be disappointed if God said no?

If yes → soulish.

Hit pause.

The Four-Word Cure

Start every single prayer with this:“Not my will, Yours.”

That tiny surrender is the difference between:

• shooting arrows → lifting empty hands

• forcing outcomes → trusting the Outcome-Maker

• praying at people → praying with Jesus to the Father

Prayer to Break Every Soulish Chain

Lord Jesus,

Forgive us for every time we’ve used prayer as a crowbar instead of a white flag.

Break every soulish arrow aimed at us or fired by us.

Cover us with Your blood.

Teach us to pray in the Spirit and truth.

Let every desire in us bow right now and say,

“Not my will, but Yours.”

We surrender the wheel.

Amen.

Now go check your last ten prayers.

I’m checking mine.

Blog