Psalm 91: A Powerful Prayer for God’s Protection
As moms, we constantly worry about the safety and well-being of our families. Whether it’s keeping our children safe from harm or protecting our homes from danger, the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. In times like these, we can take solace in the power of prayer and turn to Psalm 91 for a prayer of protection. This powerful psalm provides a sense of comfort and security, reminding us that God is always watching over us.
I never knew how much I worry about my family until my husband and I took a trip for our anniversary and left our boys at home alone with my dad. They were so excited to have the time to spend with their grandpa. But my mind just kept saying, “What if…”
And of course, every what-if was something crazy and impossible, or at least highly improbable. I thought I trusted God to take care of my family, but I suddenly realized that I was trusting a lot in myself and not in my heavenly Father.
When I returned home from my lovely trip, everything was fine. My children were still alive and had all their bones intact, and my house hadn’t caved in or caught on fire. (Yes, all things I worried might happen.)
But the truth is, bad things can happen to me or my family with or without me being present. No amount of worry or caution or downright helicopter parenting on my part can keep them safe 100% of the time.
Only God has the power to keep me and my family safe. I want never to face struggles or pain, and I certainly don’t want my children to have times of trouble. But I know those things are a reality of life.
When I start to feel overwhelmed with fear, the powerful words of Psalm 91 offer a prayer for protection we can pray directly from the Word of God.
The Power of Praying Scripture
God’s Word tells us that there are times when we don’t know what to pray for. We may be overwhelmed, discouraged, frustrated or so heartbroken that we just can’t find the words to say. When we read and know the Scriptures, we can cling to God’s promises and cling to Him in difficult times.
There are powerful chapters in the Bible that children of God can turn into prayer. Praying Bible verses can bring great comfort and peace. God loves to hear from His children in our daily lives, but He is near to us when we are facing times of uncertainty.
The Psalm 91 prayer of protection is one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible that we can use as a source of comfort when we start to feel the world spinning out of our control. Prayer is the most powerful weapon we as human beings can use. No matter what trials and hardships we might face, we are trusting in the almighty God. He promised to be a protecting shield for those who put their trust in Him.
What are the Most Powerful Prayers of Protection?
There are many prayers we can pray for God’s protection. But the best protection prayer is one that comes with a proclamation of faith and full trust in God. The power of God is greater than all the other power in the whole world. When we are living in His will we are in a safe place.
When we are trusting in the name of the Lord, we know that whatever happens in our lives, He is working it out for our good. Bad things still happen, but when we pray for His hedge of protection, we know that it is His will.
He will never leave us, and we can dwell in His divine presence, even when we feel surrounded by the terror of night.
The most powerful prayer of protection is one that trusts the Lord to take care of us 100% while knowing that His way is always best. Every prayer we pray should be prayed with the attitude “not my will, but Thine be done.”
Related: How to Pray More with a Simple Written Prayer List (+printable template)
Psalm 91 as a Prayer of Protection
Psalm 91 is one of the most well-known and beloved Psalms in the Bible. It speaks of God’s protection and care over His people who trust in Him. In this prayer, the psalmist declares that God is his refuge and fortress and that nothing can harm the person who dwells under the shadow of the Almighty.
We can take comfort in these words and use them to pray for protection over our families. We should be diligent in pursuing a close relationship with God so that we can pray when we face times of great need.
Psalm 91:1
The first verse of Psalm 91 sets the tone for the rest of the prayer.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Verse 1 is one of the key verses in this chapter. This verse reminds us that when we abide in God’s presence and trust in His protection, we can find rest and peace in the midst of any situation. It doesn’t mean we will never face hard times, including sickness, hardships and even death.
But we can always trust that God is working for our best. As we pray this prayer over ourselves and our families, we can declare that we are abiding in the shelter of the Most High and resting in His shadow.
Psalm 91:2-6
The second part of Psalm 91 focuses on the dangers that exist in the world around us.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
It speaks of deadly diseases, violent attacks, and unexpected disasters. Living in the twenty-first century, we can understand these terrors better than perhaps anyone in history before us.
But even in these uncertain times, we may find ourselves feeling anxious or fearful about what the future holds. But in this prayer, God promises to protect us from all of these dangers. Does He promise we will never be faced with the deadly pestilence, terrors of the night or times of famine? No.
But He does promise that we don’t need to live in fear of those terrible things. We can declare that even though the world may be unpredictable, we trust in the unchanging nature of God, who is always faithful in keeping His promises.
Psalm 91:7-13
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
The next part of the prayer speaks of the power of angels, who are sent by God to guard and protect His people. These verses remind us that God has a host of heavenly beings who are watching over us and fighting on our behalf.
Angels are heavenly beings we cannot fully understand. But even though we cannot com We can pray for God’s angels to surround our homes and families, protecting us from harm and danger.
Again, God didn’t promise us that these bad things won’t happen. But He promised that He will be our place of safety. God is the strong tower we can run to in times of trouble. He is our shield of protection.
Psalm 91:14-16
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
The final verses of Psalm 91 speak of God’s faithfulness and His promise to rescue and protect those who trust in Him.
As we pray this psalm over our families, we can trust in God’s unfailing love and His promise to be with us in every circumstance. None of us truly knows how long our lives will be. But the longer we live, the more of God’s goodness we will see.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psalm 37:25
When we trust in the Lord and pray the Psalm 91 prayer of protection, we are setting an example for our children to follow. God will keep His faithful promises to them the same as He has to us.
How to Pray Psalm 91 Over Your Family
Over the last few years, we have been programmed to fear. It’s enough to make us want to put our families inside a big bubble. Our fallen world is filled with sin and situations that are hard to face.
Christian moms need a strong daily prayer life and an intimate relationship with God to overcome the problems of daily life, as well as the battles our enemy, Satan, brings against us.
And when we feel ourselves being overcome with worry and fear, we can pray this powerful prayer from the Old Testament to bring peace to our hearts.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today with the prayer of Psalm 91 for protection for my family. I pray that we will dwell in the secret place and have a strong and faithful relationship with You. Forgive our sins and hear our prayers.
O, Lord, please protect us from the danger that we can and cannot see. Keep us safe from natural disasters, sickness, and people who may wish to hurt us. Send Your angels to keep us safe when we are in dangerous situations we don’t even realize.
Help us to love You like we should and to serve You faithfully. Help us to always see Your goodness and trust in Your will.
Thank You, for all You have done for our family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
As Christian moms, we face many challenges in our daily lives. But by praying Psalm 91 over our families, we can find peace in the midst of chaos. We can declare that God is our refuge and fortress, our shield and defender, and trust that He will be faithful to keep us safe from harm.
Let’s take comfort in the words of the Psalm 91 prayer of protection, knowing that God is with us always and that no harm can come near us while we are under the shade of the Almighty and in His dwelling place.
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