A Prayer of Protection from Psalm 91

Sometimes, maybe unintentionally, we might strive to survive on our own. We forget that what we need most, God’s protection and the comfort of His presence, are freely available to those who love Him and walk in His covering.

We trudged slowly back to the car through a crowded parking lot in the Texas summer heat. Hot, humid, full sun bearing down. I noticed my daughter matching my steps, walking close by my side the entire way back. Little legs stretching out as far as they could to match my stride. She smiled up at me and said, “Mom, look, I’m walking in your shade.” She had found the shadow, the safe place to walk. I loved that my side was her shield, giving her protection from the heat.

This reminder came…

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

In whatever troubles we face today, God is the refuge we can run to, our safe place, and the very fact this verse is “9-1-1” is no coincidence.

We may not always see it or feel it. We might forget it’s there at times, or even wonder if God has left us to fend for ourselves in the heat of hard situations of life. But His protection is real. He doesn’t, He can’t, forget us or ignore us. If we belong to Him, His love is too great to ever leave us on our own.

Shadows, by definition, are a place of protection or covering, they provide relief from the direct heat of the sun. If the heat is severe, the shade is the place we run to. It diminishes what we actually feel in the intensity of the heat.

A reminder for us, especially in the tough stuff, that we never walk alone. Full heat of troubles bearing down hard, heavy, it’s a struggle at times to keep trudging through it all. Pressure and stress can seem as stifling as a hot afternoon summer sun. Yet God whispers to us, “Walk in my shadow, up close to my side.”  And it’s in that safe place we find security; for when we’re resting is God’s shadow, we will never face the full heat of our difficulties. He shelters from that pain. His shade, His shadow, diminishes what is felt in the intensity of all the heat. Rest, peace, and calm rise up strong, right in the struggles of life, and we’re assured, He’s in control.

Sometimes, maybe unintentionally, we might strive to survive on our own. We forget that what we need most, God’s protection and the comfort of His presence, are freely available to those who love Him and walk in His covering.

8 Promises of God from Psalm 91:

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

He Reminds Us:

– “I will rescue him…” (deliver, cause to escape)

– “I will protect him…” (set him on a high place)

– “I will answer him…” (respond to, speak)

– “I will be with him in trouble…” (in afflictions, in distress)

– “I will deliver him…” (rescue, to bring into safety)

– “and honor him…” (to make rich, strong, heavy with honor)

– “With long life will I satisfy him…” (to have abundance in the journey)

– “and show him my salvation.” (let him see my deliverance and victory)

God’s reminders are strong and true, assuring us that in all we walk through in this journey, we’re not alone. Though He never promises we won’t face hard times; He does say he’ll be with us in it all. Don’t ever doubt that God is constantly at work on your behalf. We may never fully know, this side of heaven, how very much He has sheltered us from in this life.

Dear God,

Thank you Lord for your presence with us, thank you for your Almighty shadow. Thank you that you go before us and cover us from behind. Your words bring such hope and comfort. Fill us with your strength today. May we see glimpses of your glory and blessing along the way as we seek after you. For victory and salvation are found in you alone.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.