Mojtaba Khamenei calls prayer a source of strength against ‘worldly devils’

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has described prayer as a constant source of strength for confronting what he called “worldly devils,” while urging Iranian society to strengthen the practice of prayer.

Khamenei made the remarks in a message to Iran’s 33rd National Prayer Conference, held on Thursday, October 1, 2026. In his message, he presented prayer not only as an individual religious obligation but also as an important source of hope, spiritual strength and trust in God during periods of struggle.

“Prayer is one of the most beautiful great blessings of Almighty God,” Khamenei said, describing it as a central pillar of religion and a connecting link through which people establish a direct relationship with God.

He said prayer provides believers with hope and tranquillity and serves as a continuous source of support while confronting personal desires and what he termed “worldly devils.” He also linked prayer with perseverance during what he described as periods of jihad and victory.

Khamenei further stressed that establishing prayer has a significant role in building a healthy Islamic society. According to his message, widespread observance of prayer, along with collective efforts to improve the quality of congregational and Friday prayers, should remain a priority.

He also highlighted the role of mosques and religious leaders, calling for greater activity at mosques and emphasizing that prayer leaders should provide a place of support for people while listening to their concerns and grievances.

The Iranian leader urged different sections of society to contribute to promoting prayer, particularly among young people. He said encouraging younger generations to maintain the practice should be treated as a shared responsibility.

His message comes as Iran continues to face significant regional and domestic challenges. Against this backdrop, Khamenei’s remarks place religious practice at the centre of his call for resilience, hope and social cohesion.

He concluded his message by expressing hope that divine grace would help the Iranian people succeed in establishing prayer and benefit from its spiritual blessings.