Prayer to Eleguá and Invocation to Open Paths and Ask for Protection

La prayer to Eleguá It is a powerful invocation to connect with the orisha who rules over paths and decisions. Eleguá, lord of crossroads, is invoked at the beginning of any ceremony, but also in daily life, when we seek to open doors, ask for protection, or guide our destiny. Here you will find different prayers and invocations to Eleguá, designed to help you find clarity, overcome obstacles, and maintain the blessing of his presence on your path.
Here is a prayer dedicated to Eleguá, useful for invoking him with respect and faith, and strengthening your bond with the owner of the roads.
«I invoke the guardian spirit of the roads, Elegua.
Blessed Orisha, owner of the keys of destiny. Tireless messenger who watches over the sacrifices made by the living and the dead. You know everyone and everything that exists between Heaven and Earth.
Supplicating before you, I call you to help me in all my vicissitudes.
Your name I cry three times so that your mercy may be the talisman that leads me to success.
Elegua blessed, come to my call.
Elegua blessed, listen to my request.
Elegua blessed, open my ways.
Three times I call you, three times I ask you, by the power of the messenger all doors will open for me. There will be no enemy that can attack me, because Elegua has to confuse my opponents and they have to lose themselves in their own paths of betrayal and evil.
Skilled warrior who, with your powerful Ashé, escapes any setback, emanate your virtue on my ori so that I can also escape dangers and adversities.
You who are everywhere, know everything and hear everything, warn me in a timely manner when the evil hour is approaching, so that I can avoid premature death, illness, calamity, revolution, chaos and desolation.
Warrior of the red and black armor, lend me your shield to protect me from the attacks that my opponents plan against me, free me from envy, gossip and defamation.
Owner of the container where the sacred medicine is kept, heal my natural illnesses, heal my spiritual illnesses, free me from spells, witchcraft, curses and pestilences. Protect me from the witches of the night and from the dark spirits that roam the world causing the perdition of men.
I praise the spirit of the divine messenger, root of all things, knower of knowers. You who carry the sacrifice, without you nothing would make sense because you are the balance that maintains the harmony of all existence.
Small and large at the same time, there is no creature that can resist your enchantments. Guide the luck and blessings to the entrance of my home, so that health, intelligence, abundance, good offspring, happiness, the victory of wars and enemies, knock at my door three times, and settle. within my house stability and firmness in all my affairs.
Elegua, powerful saint, orient my head so that I connect in the right direction towards my destiny and so I can live on this Earth all the triumphs that I have come to seek. Never abandon me to my fate, because you are my guide and the light on my path.
I salute and thank the spirit who owns the roads. We, your children in the world, offer you our respects and ask for your blessings, placing our lives in your hands.
Father of mysteries, bring me good fortune, always working in my favor, and positively authorize all my offerings.
Ashe to Iban Eshu.
How to pray to Elegua?
Praying to Eleguá involves much more than repeating words; it requires attitude, spiritual clarity, and deep respect for this Orisha. Here we explain how to do it correctly.
- Mental clarity: Approach with a calm mind and a clear spirit. It's vital that your prayers be clear and specific, without ambiguity, so that Elegua can accurately receive your requests.
- Deep respect: Always show the utmost respect when addressing this Orisha. Recognize his power and his place as guardian of destiny and messenger between the worlds.
- Unwavering faith: Believe firmly in His power. Sincere faith is the spiritual bridge that connects your word to His divine energy.
- Prayer posture: When you offer your prayers, do so standing in front of the altar or foundation, as a symbol of willingness, respect, and dedication.

These practices strengthen your spiritual connection with Elegua and honor traditional protocol within Santeria.
Benefits of praying prayers to Elegua
Prayers to Elegua are one of the most effective ways to establish a direct connection with his energy. Invoking him regularly offers us guidance, protection, and opportunities in multiple areas of life:
- Opening and new beginnings: Elegua is the one who opens the paths. Without his consent, no new project can advance on the spiritual or earthly plane.
- Divine Messenger: Elegua carries our supplications to Olodumare and the rest of the Orishas. His intervention ensures that our prayers are heard by the celestial forces.
- Protector and spiritual guide: Elegua protects his children from evil, from visible and invisible enemies, and guides our steps when we don't know which direction to take.
- Guardian of the roads: It has the power to close or unblock paths. Therefore, its favor is essential when it comes to changes, travel, important decisions, or spiritual journeys.
- Conflict solver: With his ancestral wisdom, Elegua undoes knots, breaks down obstacles, and provides just solutions in the midst of chaos.
Praying to him constantly connects you with his strength and allows you to walk more confidently along the paths of life.
What can you ask Elegua for in a prayer?
Prayers to Elegua are as diverse as the paths he himself masters. Devotees approach him with a variety of intentions, aware of his power to intervene in the everyday and the transcendent:
- Economic well-being: You are being asked to pave the way for financial stability, employment, prosperous businesses, and the overcoming of economic blockages.
- Problem resolution: Elegua is invoked to resolve personal, family, or legal disputes. His intervention is sought when everything seems stuck or unresolved.
- Protection against enemies: Many prayers implore him to confuse and ward off enemies, gossip, betrayals, curses, and any contrary energy.
- Love and relationships: He is also sought out for guidance on romantic matters, from finding a partner to harmonizing family or relationship ties.
- Positive influence: In some contexts, their intervention is requested to gain favor with others, influence decisions, or exercise spiritual authority over certain situations.
Prayers to Elegua are a living tool that allows us to channel our requests with clarity, respect, and faith, aligning ourselves with his power and guidance.
How to summon Elegua?

The invocation to Elegua must be performed with respect, attention, and following certain traditional steps. Here's how to do it correctly:
- Place yourself in front of his altar or foundation, usually located behind the door, a space that symbolizes his dominion over the thresholds of the world.
- Hit the ground three times as a ritual call and sign of respect.
- Recite the following traditional prayer:
«Eshú Elegua, Awo oni bode babamí, dacomo omó, dacomo afefa, ogüedé mefa, ogüedé ilú, azorán llamacotiti cocoribilla».
Meaning:
Eshú, Elegua, my father, my only and greatest goalkeeper, stand up straight. You gave six gold coins for six bananas to save a village and you stood firm. Come, please, and listen to me.
- Light two candles in front of his image as a symbol of spiritual light.
- Blow on it with brandy or gin as part of the offering, and spread epo (corojo butter) to activate its energy.
This simple but powerful ritual strengthens the bond between the devotee and Elegua, facilitating the reception of his blessings.
You can read: All about the Orisha Elegua
Prayer to Elegua to Open the Roads:

At some point in our lives, we've all faced situations in which we feel like nothing is moving forward, where our efforts seem stalled, and where our paths are blocked. In these moments of difficulty, the children of Osha turn to Eleguá, the Orisha who holds the keys to destiny and the doors to progress.
Eleguá is the one who decides which paths open and which ones close. Therefore, when obstacles seem immovable, we raise our supplications to this deity with the certainty that, if he is propitious, he will open before us new opportunities for well-being, health, and fortune.
The causes of a blocked path can be many: lack of sacrifices (ebó), negative energies, spiritual debts, contraction of the Ori, curses, or even spells. But regardless of the reason, Eleguá has the power to remove any barrier if he is honored with faith and respect.
Below, we share a powerful and traditional prayer to ask Eleguá to open your paths and guide you toward a prosperous destiny:
«I praise and respect the spirit of the Divine messenger, Eleguá.
We all know you are the strong man of the drum.
Your power is infinite, only you are capable of granting the knowledge that transforms.
We, your children and followers, pay tribute to you by calling you by your mighty names.
It is you, the serpent that throws stones from the sky.
You are, Eleguá, the magnificent king who lives in the house of Ketú,
the man of the great fog, who guides us in times of war.
It is your spirit, Eleguá, that always opens the way, even from heaven.
Don't stop opening my paths as you have always done.I respect you and I will always respect you.
I praise you and I will praise you forever.
The day you arrived was the day good fortune descended from heaven to Earth.
I beg you today and always to assist me, Divine messenger.You are the father of all offerings, bearer of Ashé.
He who dances like an immortal among the living and the Ancestors.
He who enforces the sacred, rewarding every sacrifice made with faith.Eleguá, owner of the roads, you are the first I greet.
You who are filled with profound wisdom,
Your word is power, and with it I will win.Eshu Eleguá, you who are the balance,
You who helped Oshe Tura bring rain in times of need,
help me too to achieve my goals.Let no curse block my path.
If it is your will, may my destiny be prosperous.
Keep bad decisions away from me and close the doors to what is not good for me.Take the keys to my troubles out of the hands of my enemies.
Take absolute control of my paths,
support me in good and deliver me from evil.Make my steps lead me to stability,
may you find health, progress and balance.
Let nothing stop me, because you, my father Eleguá,
You are the path and the key that opens my happiness.Oh Eleguá, guardian of destinies and divine messenger,
hear my prayer.
You who guide with wisdom and protect with cunning,
awakens a new opportunity in me.Give me your blessing,
Keep bad influences and obstacles away from me.
Let me move forward with courage,
knowing that you are by my side.Owner of the crossroads and lord of abundance,
open the doors of prosperity in my life.
May your blessings flow like an inexhaustible river,
filling my being with love, harmony and well-being.Today I place my faith in you, Eleguá.
At this moment (make your request),
I give you my desires.May you be my guide, my light, my path.
Thank you, my father, because with you peace comes to my soul.
With your blessing I am victorious.
Ashe.”
You can accompany this prayer with an offering to Eleguá: three fried fish (snapper or sardine), with corojo butter and honey. This is one of the most effective works in Santeria and is usually performed with respect and deep faith.
Prayer to Elegua for money
Due to Elegua's virtue of being the owner of the roads and divine messenger, his ability to resolve economic and money matters is widely recognized. Below, we present a prayer through which we can request the intervention of the Orisha in financial matters:

«I invoke and greet the spirit of the roads, Elegua.
Great Orisha messenger, today I implore you to become my guide during each work day. Be the one who influences my activities, so I can make the best decisions.
Blessed Father, money seems to elude me, resources do not flow as they should, but with your help, I will remain firm in the face of adversity, trusting that you will transform the negative in my favor.
I beg you to share your generosity with this devotee of yours who today needs your three gold coins to prosper (make request).
Elegua, I am convinced that for you nothing is impossible; Therefore, today I ask you to take my hand and walk by my side, to multiply one by one all the coins I can obtain until I achieve the desired fortune. With your blessing, I am victorious. "Ashe."

Specific prayers to Elegua
Specific prayers to Elegua constitute a powerful means to connect with this Orisha and request his guidance and protection in various areas of our lives. From brief requests to more elaborate invocations, each prayer is addressed to Elegbara with respect and devotion, seeking her intercession in matters of great importance to us. Whether we need to overcome obstacles, overcome enmities, attract love or simply strengthen our spiritual relationship, these prayers become essential tools for devotees.
Short prayer to Elegua

«With the blessing of Olofin, Olorun and Olodumare. I ask for the blessing of my father Elegua. Owner and guardian of the keys of all paths, every day of my life I implore his mercy and his company. Protect me from walking along dark paths full of setbacks and osogbos, rather, push me along the paths of goodness, those that forge my good character and lead me to fulfill my destiny successfully.
Ashé to iba Eshu».
Long prayer to Elegua
«I praise and respect the spirit of the Divine messenger, Eleggua.
We all know that you, father, are the strong man of the drum.
Your power is infinite, only you are able to grant the knowledge that helps transform.
We his children and followers pay tribute to him by calling him by his mighty names.
Are you the serpent that throws stones out of heaven.
Elegua is the magnificent king who lives in the house of Ketu.
The man in the great mist. You guide us to face the light.
The spirit of Elegua is the one that always opens the way for us, even from the sky. Do not stop opening my paths as you have always done.
I respect you and will always respect you.
I praise you and I will always praise you.
The day you arrived was the day good fortune traveled from heaven to earth.
I beg you today and always assist me Divine messenger (make request).
Elegua is the father of all offerings with the life force.
I beg you today and always assist me Divine messenger.
It is you who dance like the immortal in this and in the realm of the Ancestors.
It is Elegua who enforces the Divine, you reward us with kindness for each sacrifice.
Our sacrifice will be received thanks to you. Elegua does justice with each of our sacrifices.
It is my father Elegua, the Divine messenger, the owner of the roads, you are the first I greet.
Elegua is full of profound wisdom. His voice of power, with his word and willingness I will win, so be it, so it is, so it will be. Ashe».
Prayer to Elegua to defeat the enemies:
Whenever we face a war or conflict with someone whom we consider our enemy, we can ask Elegua to assist us to emerge victorious from any situation and thus defeat those who wish to harm us. For this reason, we can recite the following prayer:
«O my father, here I am, your son (Full name and sign), praying this prayer. It is not my intention to bother you, but the concern and disturbance caused to me by the person whose name is (name of the enemy) forces me to come here to beg you to help me win this war.
You, who have always emerged victorious from conflicts, you, who with great skill have escaped from traps and have emerged as the greatest of the Orishas, I beg you to free me from my arayeses (enemies), that you be the one to fight. my battles and assist me to defeat my adversaries. That's how it will be, because you never let me fall. Ashe to go Eshu.»
It is important to maintain concentration and visualize our enemy while we pray. We can also write the name of the araye on an ebo paper, apply corojo to it, place it on the ground and place Eshu Elegua on it.
To conclude, we must smoke three cigars, asking Eleggua for victory in any conflict we face.
Prayer to Eshu Eleggua to Succeed in Negotiations
Elegua stands out among the Orishas for his unique ability to tilt most negotiations in his favor. This ability is the reason why numerous followers of the rule of Osha and Ifa (Santeria) invoke it, seeking to gain advantage in agreements, pacts or transactions of various kinds. The following prayer is recommended to invoke His assistance in these situations:
“I invoke the spirit of the Divine messenger.
Elegbara it is you I request to guide my head on the right path.
I sacrifice without hesitation, everything you ask me for, because I am sure that the necessary elements will make me succeed at the feet of my father Elegua.
For the Divine messenger, his payment will always be in full.
To the father of the mystery, of the message and of the transport of the ebo they always have to make the payment of their rights.
Élegua is the one who watches over and watches the offerings.
Look at the offerings, and look at the offerings.
Elegua, you are the one who pays your offerings with products from the market and slides the wealth close to us, be you a father, the one who allows my offering to come to a good end and be transformed into the benefit of my projects (make a request).
There is no doubt that Elegbara is the wealth of the people.
We all praise the spirit of the Divine messenger in order to enjoy wealth. That is why we always respect you, you are our sustenance and our evolution.
He who mocks the most cunning will fail. My opponents mock you and will find no triumph in your actions.
I praise the spirit that brings wealth to the people because he is my father and he blesses me with success and power. Ashe»
You can read: Paths of Elegua: The Multiple Avatars of the Orisha Guardian
Prayer to Elegua to Find Love

According to the Ifá sign Iroso Di, in the domain of love, some give love while others receive it; and truly, being able to experience both facets is where happiness lies. Love, that complex and deep feeling, has the power to elevate us to the heights of joy or plunge us into abysses of sadness. There are many who face loneliness or constant instability in their romantic relationships.
Therefore, we turn to prayers addressed to Elegua, requesting his help to discover true love or find stability with our current partner. We turn to this powerful Orisha aware of our desire to share life, not to face it alone. The following prayer is designed with the purpose of finding that special person with whom to share our path:
«Great Orisha Elegua,
you who are worthy of admiration.
You, whom the other Orishas look at with admiration.
Here I am, your Omo (Full name)
I am your faithful believer.
I, who without you asking me, always attend you and greet you.
I, I pose before your presence asking you to put in my path a person with whom to share my life.
I ask you to help me find love.
I ask you to bless me to be able to form my Ile (Home).
With this prayer I express my faith in you and I know that soon what I ask of you will come.
Ashe».
I pray to Elegua to Master a Person
In the search for love, there are various prayers with different purposes; While some seek true love, others aspire to dominate the loved one. In these situations, you can request Elegua's intervention to obtain her blessing in the process of mooring, controlling or loving domination over the man or woman you wish to conquer. This prayer to Elegua must be performed with oñi (honey) on hand:
«Eshu, Elegua, Elebara, Barakinqueño, by all your names I call upon you.
You are the legitimate lord of honey and its powers.
I appear before you, surrendering moforibale, and I offer you candles, tobacco, corojo and honey,
To request your help in mastering the complete essence:
The flesh, the bone, the thought and the five senses of [name of the person to dominate].
May your eyes, ears and lips perceive no one but me.
May in your thoughts and dreams, only me exist. Let me be the one who completely dominates him/her.
Ashe».
When reciting this prayer, it is essential to pour honey over Elegua. Then, you light a tobacco aimed at the person you wish to influence, entrusting your thoughts to Elegua.
It is essential to approach Elegua, or any Orisha, with purity, avoiding praying during periods of menstruation in women, and always doing so with tranquility and conviction.
Prayer to remove the evil eye at the foot of Elegua
This prayer allows the purification of negative energies, such as the evil eye, spells or witchcraft, using a simple candle stub. Addressed to Elegua, this invocation seeks his intercession:
"I greet the Orisha Elegua. The king who gives me the powerful words so that I can greet the forces of Nature.
I invoke you Divine messenger, to whom we devotees offer respect and ask for blessings.
I put the evolution, development, health and life of this creature that bears its name (general information about the person who cleanses himself) in your hands.
The world is a difficult place, that's why I need your energy, you who manage the vital force of all the elements, you who look at the offers.
May this candle stub efficiently absorb all disturbing energy, natural or imposed illness, dark spiritualities that disturb this humble servant of yours.
As long as the light of this candle shines, do your kindness to us who humbly make offerings to you.
And that when the candle is extinguished, the evil that does not belong to this creature of creation is completely extinguished. Ashe to Iban Eshu."
Prayer not to fall into traps
«I praise my father Elebara, Orisha who guides my head in the direction of my destiny.
Elegua has deep wisdom, and always finds a place to care for her children.
It is you who surely bring us good fortune.
It has the virtue of being the Divine messenger of personal relationships. Father, then, do not allow me to lose to the traps of my enemies, or even worse, to the betrayals of my false friends.
You who fell into two traps and got out unscathed by your own means, but in the third you were helped by Obatala's kindness. In the same way, may you be the ones to make me escape from the traps that I cannot get rid of.
Do not in any way allow the rupture to enter my house.
Elegbara, you who are the owner of a thousand pumpkins, be the one who protects me forever.
As long as we have Elegua, those who give us worries will not last.
I offer you my path blessed father, to be my eyes, my ears, until I reach my 5 senses and thus stealthily do not allow them to divert me from my destiny.
Ashe»
I pray to Elegua in Yoruba (Oriki)

«Èsù, Èsù Elegua, Èsù, lanlu ogirioko. Okunrin ori ita, a jo langa langa lalu.
A rin lanja lanja lalu. Ode ibi ija de mole. Ija ni otaru ba d'ele ife.
To di de omo won. Gold Èsù, to to to akoni. Ao fi ida re lale.
Elegua, ma be mi o. Èsù, ma se mi o. Èsù, ma se mi o.
Omo elomiran nor ko I know. Pa ado asubi da. I do not ado asure if wa.
Èsù Elegua ota Òrìsà, Òsèturà lorúko baba mò ó.
Alágogo ijà lórúko ìya npè é, Èsù Elegbara, omokùnrin ìdolòfin,
Ó lé sónsó sórí esè elésè. Kò je, kò si jé kí eni nje, gb'e mi.
A ki í lówó lái mú Elegua, kúrò. A ki láyo lái mú Elegua kúrò.
A sò tún – sosì lái nítijú. Èsùapata sómo olómo lénu. Ó fi òkúta dípo iyò … Èsù má se mí, omo elòmíràn ni kí o se. Roast."
Traducción:
Eshu, Eshu Elegua, the Divine messenger speaks with power. Crossroads man, dance with the drum.
Tickle the drum with your toe. Stay away from conflicts. Conflicts are contrary to the spirits of the Invisible Realm.
Join the insecure feet of a baby. Eshu Elegua's word is always respected. We will use his sword to touch the earth.
Elegua, don't confuse me. The Divine messenger, do not confuse me. Esu, don't confuse me.
Let someone else not be confused. Turn my suffering around. Give me the gourd blessing.
The Divine Messenger of Transformation is the cornerstone of the immortals, the sacred Odu Osetura is the name by which the parents know him.
The name by which mothers know him is "the owner of the bell that causes problems". Esu Elegua, the man of Idolofin.
He puts his foot on top of another. No one will eat, it will not let anyone eat who has not collected their food.
Nobody gets rich without first putting their part to Elegua. No one achieves happiness without first giving Elegua his share.
He belongs to the opposite side without any sense of shame, the Divine messenger, who pushes the innocent to offend others. He substitutes rock for salt. Eshu don't tempt me, it's someone younger than you who should tempt me. Ashe.
Short Prayer to Eshu Elegua
«Elegua, Eshu Alaguana, Nikokoribilla, Bara Tentonú, Maniko Maniko Endolo, Iku Yeledde, Barakillelú, Eshu Afra».
Prayer of the children of Elegua
The Prayer of the Children of Eleggua It is a sacred and profound act of spiritual connection, led by those who consider themselves protected and guided by this powerful Orisha. As children of this Orisha, this prayer is a manifestation of devotion, gratitude and recognition towards the guardian of the paths, the divine messenger who, with his wisdom and protection, marks the destiny of his devotees.
“I pay tribute and greet my father Elegua.
The Divine messenger of the drum is the one who guides me.
The Divine messenger of the hunters who is the heart of abundance, is the one who represents me.
The Divine messenger who eats sweets is the one who keeps me.
The indulgent child of the invisible realm is the one who protects me.
It is my father Elegua who pushes and pushes again. It pushes us not to be unlucky.
It is my father Elegua who brings me a partner. My good fortune is in your hands.
Thank you my father because you have allowed there to be peace in my soul. It is to Elegua that I turn to have health, money and love on this earth.
It is Elegua whom his children must respect in order to cling to our abundance.
I respect and thank my guardian angel Elegua. You have been the one who has removed all the confrontations from my path.
Elegua is the true spirit that reincarnated. He is the mask of the children's ancestor. You are revolutionary clarity.
It is my father who under any circumstances protects me. That is why I thank you today and always. Thank you thank you thank you. Ashe».
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