What is the biblical meaning of seeing a praying mantis?
Introduction
God is wonderful and unpredictable.
He uses different ways to speak to His children and reveal Himself and His plans.
Sometimes, God speaks directly in plain language.
Other times, He speaks in mysteries. Our responsibility as believers is to receive and decode God’s messages.
One way God speaks to us is through animals.
Every animal has its spiritual and biblical symbolism.
From the birds of the sky, beasts of the field, and even insects that fly, to the ones who live beneath the earth, everyone has a profound meaning beyond their physical features.
One such animal is the praying mantis.
From its name, we can deduce that it represents piety and devotion to God.
Its body posture represents meditation and focuses on God.
There are more spiritual significances of this insect. This article reveals the biblical meanings of praying mantis and what it means if you see it.
Praying Mantis Meanings in the Bible
An attitude of prayer
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 says one of God’s wills for believers is to pray fervently and consistently.
One of the most obvious features of a praying mantis is its raised forelegs as if in the act of prayer.
This posture presents this insect as sacred.
It is a symbol of obedience and trust in God. It represents believers’ need to place God first before anything.
It is also a sign of constant communication with God.
Prayer is not only an avenue of asking and receiving blessings from God. Instead, it is one of the fastest ways to build a strong bond and intimacy with God.
If every believer always falls on their knees and puts their palm together in a prayer like a praying mantis in good and bad times, they will experience ease, peace, and blessings always because loves a praying believer and always reveals His thoughts and intentions to them.
A sign of devotion to God
“Let your heart, therefore, be wholly devoted to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” (1 Kings 8:61)
A praying mantis also signifies devotion to God.
In a world where people’s minds are divided between meeting financial and material needs, serving God, and fulfilling spiritual needs, only those whose hearts are fixed on God and His Word will experience true happiness and fulfillment.
This is because all things are in God.
He created the earth and its fullness. He owns the wealth and riches upon thousands of hills, forests, seas, and beneath the ground. Therefore, those who devote their lives to Him access the abundant supply of His blessings.
Praying mantises represent the value of being devoted to God and treating His Word as sacred and final authority.
Patience and Stillness
“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
The praying mantis is often seen as a symbol of patience and stillness due to its calm and deliberate hunting behavior.
They are calm when hunting, increasing their success rate more than most impatient animals.
Patience is a crucial value every believer must possess to receive their full reward.
God has promised every believer certain blessings, but it might take a while before they manifest.
Only those willing to trust and wait on the Lord will receive what is promised.
Abraham had to wait 25 years before he got Isaac, his promised son; Joseph waited 13 years before his dreams of becoming a great leader came to fruition; and David waited 15 years to become king of Israel.
Patience is hard but is crucial in obtaining joy, promotion, and blessings.
The praying mantis embodies this virtue and reminds believers to be still and wait on God.
A symbol of meditation
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalms 1:2)
The mantis’s characteristic posture, with its raised front legs resembling a praying stance, has led to associations with meditation and contemplation.
This posture inspires and encourages a sense of inner reflection and mindfulness.
The Bible says studying and meditating upon God’s Word is the key to unlocking the door of “good success” (Joshua 1:8)
Meditation in the Bible is different from what is practiced during yoga exercises.
Meditating on God’s Word does not involve sitting on the floor, crossing your legs, spreading your arms, breath control, etc.
Instead, it means spending more time studying the Bible and allowing the Holy Spirit to interpret it in your heart.
Gaining deeper understanding while studying God’s Word opens your eyes and heart to the abundant spiritual blessings not known by all Christians. Therefore, the praying mantis represents engaging in a deeper study of the Bible and its benefits.
Spiritual Connection
“And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.” (Luke 1:19)
The praying mantis is considered a spiritual messenger or a sign of divine presence.
Its appearance may be interpreted as the presence of your guardian angels looking out for you.
It could also represent a message from the spiritual realm, guiding you on your life’s path.
Angelic visitation in the Bible is always symbolic.
Everyone who has an encounter with one receives a promise, instruction, warning, protection, blessing, or message.
Receiving angels is a defining moment in the lives of many biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob, Mary, Elizabeth, etc.
A praying mantis shows a spiritual connection to the divine and the ability of the human mind to relate with the transcendent.
Adaptation and Survival
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:12)
Some praying mantises exhibit remarkable mimicry, imitating parts of plants or other insects to blend in and ambush prey.
This adaptation is an example of their incredible survival strategies.
These abilities enable praying mantises to feed in all seasons.
We can draw lessons from the mantis’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and overcome challenges.
As believers, we will face tribulations and challenges but will overcome them. However, our survival strategy involves trusting in God and the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary (John 16:33).
Biblical Meanings of Seeing a Praying Mantis
A sign to watch out for false prophets
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)
Praying mantises have a distinctive appearance, with long bodies and elongated front legs that resemble a praying posture.
Their coloration and body shape often help them blend into their natural environment.
Their natural green colors blend with plants, making it difficult for insects to detect their presence until it is too late.
As believers, the Bible warns of fake prophets who act like God’s messengers but intend to mislead people into destruction. These false prophets are difficult to spot because they act like genuine men of God.
As such, seeing a praying mantis is a sign to be watchful of the people posing as spiritual leaders or prophets around you.
Do not jump into action when they instruct you; double-check the Bible to confirm that what they say is in line with God’s Word, and open yourself to the leading of the Holy Spirit through which God ministers to your heart.
Not being careful around false prophets will make you end up where praying mantises’ prey ends: in their belly.
The Bible compares these people to wolves. They will devour you or inflict life-threatening injuries on your soul.
A sign to watch out for a devourer
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Praying mantises are skilled predators, primarily feeding on insects and sometimes even small vertebrates.
They use their powerful front legs to catch and hold their prey, and their triangular heads can rotate to track movement.
This sign is connected to the first. However, while false prophets take time to lure you into destruction, devourers spring into action without wasting time.
That is another meaning of seeing a praying mantis. It is a call to swiftly protect yourself from the enemy already close by.
It’s better to not be caught by the enemy than to try to escape.
This is because the enemy might wreak havoc on you even if you manage to break loose because they are brutal in their approach, just like the praying mantis.
Voracious Appetite
“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:19)
Praying mantises are known for being voracious eaters, consuming various insects, including pests that harm crops and gardens.
Seeing them might be a sign of gluttony.
It means you must pay attention to how much you crave food and the quantity you consume.
The love of food seems harmless, but it injures our spiritual growth as Christians.
A believer who cannot do without food will be unable to fast.
And a person who cannot fast will lack the spiritual strength to fight spiritual battles and overcome temptations and the enemy’s trap.
Gluttony also has a physical impact, leading to overweight, obesity, and other critical health conditions.
The Bible verse above likens gluttony to idolatry.
Those who cannot do without food have made their stomachs their gods, and so worship with them. They place food above God and spiritual activities that can promote their relationship with Him.
Proverbs 23:21 says the glutton will come to poverty because they spend too much money on food instead of valuable assets and investments that will make their wealth increase.
The spirit of greed and covetousness
“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)
Sometimes, praying mantises exhibit cannibalistic behavior, where larger individuals may eat smaller ones, including their own mates.
The uncontrollable appetite of the praying mantis can be related to greed and covetousness.
Coveteousness is the last commandment, the Ten Commandments.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)
One Example of coveteousness that leads to murder is how Jezebel and Ahab killed Naboth because they wanted to take over his land (1 Kings 21:1-25).
Seeing a praying mantis is a warning that you should be contented with what God has given you. You must be thankful for what is yours because that’s the only way to experience an increase.
Significance of a Dead Praying Mantis in the Bible
Seeing a dead praying mantis is not a good sign for a Christian.
It means your spiritual life is dead and needs revival.
Don’t joke with this sign if you have stopped praying, studying the Bible, and obeying God’s Word like you used to. One major cause of spiritual death is sin.
The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
This sign needs an urgent response because being spiritually dead makes you vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks that come in the form of sickness, poverty, demonic possession, and even physical death.
God rejected King Saul after he sinned against Him.
His rejection as king spiraled into demonic possession, manipulation, and death. Therefore, we must not joke with these signs.
We must seek God’s face for forgiveness because He is kind and faithful to forgive our sins and restore us.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.