How to Pray Psalm 91 as a Powerful Prayer of Protection

Praying Psalm 91 is a powerful prayer of protection that we can use to cover ourselves in our families in prayer. 

Does this mean that we as believers will never get sick?

No. We will still experience pain, suffering, death, and disease because we live in a fallen world.  That means that because of sin, this world will continue to groan in pain, as it awaits the freedom from the bondage of decay (Romans 8:18-21).

We ourselves groan as we wait for the full redemption of our earthly bodies when Christ returns (Romans 8:23).

But this doesn’t mean that we don’t serve a God who heals and delivers us from sickness and disease.  We serve a miracle-working God!

But even while we wait for Jesus to come and make all things new, we can hold to the promises of God’s word that he is our refuge and help in times of trouble.

That is why we can pray Psalm 91 as a prayer of protection and strength.

pray psalm 91

Praying Psalm 91 also does not mean that we or our loved ones will never experience death. Psalm 116:15 says, 

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.

Death is not the end of our existence, but the beginning of our Eternal freedom and salvation through Christ.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

How to Pray Psalm 91 as a Prayer of Protection

As you read through and pray Psalm 91 as a prayer of protection over yourself and your family, keep these things in mind.

  • Read Psalm 91 often.
  • Personalize Psalm 91 by inserting your name or your family member’s names within various portions of the Scripture.
  • Write the verses in Psalm 91 in your own words as a prayer.
  • Hang Psalm 91 in your home or in a place where you will see it often. You can download a floral copy of Psalm 91 by clicking on the button below!

Praying Psalm 91 as a Powerful Psalm of Protection

Here is an example of how you can use the verses in Psalm 91 to create a personalized prayer.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1-2

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you cover me with your wings of protection from the schemes of the enemy. May your faithfulness be my shield and defense.

Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 91:3-4

Prayer: Thank you Lord, that I do not have to be afraid. Day and night, your hand of strength covers me. Though there may be chaos all around me, you will keep me safe in your dwelling. May my eyes see the victory you have in store for me today.

You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

Psalm 91:5-8

Prayer: Lord, guard me from the plague that destroys at midday. Even when chaos seems to be all around me, may I remain untouched, standing strong and firm in arms. 

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

Psalm 91:9-13

Prayer: Lord, I praise you for being my refuge and strength. Surround me with your protection today, and may no harm or disaster come near me. Guide me in Your truth and safety, and may your angels guard me in all my ways. I praise you that my enemies are under my feet.

“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


Prayer: Lord, thank you for your unending love for me! I praise you for being with me in the midst of my circumstances. Deliver me from my troubles, and may your salvation sustain me all the days of my life.

In Jesus name, Amen.

You can download this prayer below!

How wonderful it is to pray God’s Word! Here are some powerful reasons why we should pray Psalm 91 for ourselves and for our families.

Praying Psalm 91 Teaches us to Abide in Christ

The words dwell, rest, refuge, and fortress are words in Psalm 91 that mean we are to abide in the Lord. The word abide means to remain, to not depart, to continue, to dwell, to endure, and to be present (source).

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1-2

When we rest, abide, and take refuge in God’s fortress and shelter, we are protected from the snares of the enemy.  How can anyone fall into the “fowler’s snare” if they are nestled safely in the dwelling place of the Lord?

The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

Praying Psalm 91 teaches us that God Covers us

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness and rampart.

Psalm 91:4

Not only do we abide within the safety of God’s dwelling, but he actively covers us with his protection. His faithfulness is our shield and rampart.  Remember the armor of God in Ephesians chapter 6? 

We gird ourselves with the shield of faith –his powerful armor of protection.

When God covers us with his love and faithfulness, his protection is secure!

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous, you surround them with your favor as with a shield. 

Psalm 5:12
praying psalm 91 as a prayer of power

Praying Psalm 91 teaches us to not be afraid

We face very real dangers in our world today.  As we go about our daily lives, we need to use wisdom and discretion. When we drive, we put on our seat belts. When we are sick, we need to take care of ourselves and rest.

We take basic precautions to remain healthy and safe, and we trust God with the rest. We don’t have to live in a constant state of terror or dread.

 David in Psalm 23 verse 4 said it powerfully,

 …even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Praying Psalm 91 teaches us to Trust God

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:11-12

Remember when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness and Matthew chapter 4? Satan tried to tempt Jesus by quoting Psalm 91 out of context. 

Check it out here:

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Matthew 4:5-6

Do you see how Satan tried to use Scripture against the Son of God

Jesus answered him by saying,

“It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Matthew 4:7

We know that God will protect us, but that doesn’t mean we put God to the test and do something foolish like jump from a tall building.  Trust the Lord to protect you, but don’t be unwise. 

When we continue to abide in Christ and use the Word of God to guide us, we will not fall into Satan’s traps!

Praying Psalm 91 teaches us that God is with us during times of trouble

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Psalm 91:15

Remember that we are not exempt from trouble or difficulty in this world.  Jesus himself said that we will have trouble, but we can take heart because he has already overcome the world! (John 16:33)

We can rest assured that God will be with us in the valleys and on the mountaintops.

Praying Psalm 91 reminds us of our Salvation

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:16

What a blessing it is to know that no matter what happens on earth, we have the security of our Salvation through Christ! We must remember that our eternal hope of heaven far outweighs the struggles here on earth. God is with us during the difficulties on earth, and he will be with us in eternity.

What a great comfort it is to know that we will enter the eternal rest of our Lord forever!

In Conclusion

We can use Psalm 91 to pray a powerful prayer of protection over ourselves and our loved ones, and we can rest assured that when we dwell in God’s shelter, we can experience the beauty of his joy and peace.

Even in the midst of this fallen world, we can take great comfort in the truth that God is with us always! 

Related Posts

How to Pray the Power of God’s Word

40 Days of Praying through the Psalms

100 Promises from God’s Word

Healing Scriptures to Declare Over your Life

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25 thoughts on “How to Pray Psalm 91 as a Powerful Prayer of Protection”

  1. I have prayed this Ps for over 25 years. I was warned a month before a near death heart attack not to be afraid I would not die. God protected my child from having a wreck. When my oldest son was dying of cancer last winter, I
    prayed this & God put a beautiful cloud over my bed to give me peace. This Ps . Has
    given me so much peace thru the years. Please read it daily.

  2. Hello Christin,
    Reading Psalm 91 reminds of my Aunt Espie who passed away 2 years ago, I called her when I was need of a prayer for my grandchildren on a daily basis (she was our go to), Psalm 91 is what she gave me to pray daily, I found it so comforting.

    1. Thank you so much for sharing Teresa! I have found this psalm to bring me great comfort as well. Blessings to you and your family!

  3. I am believing in the 91st psalm I read it often I am sitting at home afraid to go to the hospital but I know God is in control. Please pray for me that no weapon formed against me shall prosper in Jesus name amen.

  4. I enjoyed your post. I committed Psalm 91 to memory back in March 2020. It’s been a great comfort to pray and walk in these promises. I work in dentistry and in this pandemic it’s been a great confession of trust as I pray this each morning before work.

  5. I read this psalm everyday. I know God has his healing hand upon my son and his family. No weapon formed against them will prosper. He is our shield and rampart

  6. Such beautiful uplifting scripture in this sad times. So lovely to see amazing women of God uplifting each other. We truly need that. I live in Zambia, Africa. We love our Lord and we give all this happenings in the world in His hands. For He cares and carrys our burdens. To Jesus be the glory and honor.

  7. I really enjoy reading the book of Psalms. My aunt, who passed away in her mid-90’s, had shared that she had memorized Psalm 91 in her younger days and encouraged me to pray this Prayer of Protection for myself and others before traveling. I have been doing so for a number of years now. I have also been praying this beautiful scripture every morning and am working on memorizing it. I find it to be so comforting, especially during this pandemic. I am so grateful and thankful to God for how He continues to protect, bless and keep us each and everyday🙏🏾.

  8. Lol I thank God for psalm 91 when I was having surgery for cancer i never gõeary or had any doubt that i would not be alrighpt had a comest over me that God would heal me i still believe i was cured before i had the surgery i believe God had done thpe healing my dr. Just had to do. The part God ordaned him to do the big part had already been done i know God put dr. Here to help us thats why i go to them but the healing comes from the great physician. I have been reading psalm 91 since the pendamic i tries to do it every day some time not as the time i like to. But i know God understands i m doing well now thanks to God i m still holding on to psalm 91 God bless. Vicki.

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