Psalm 91 Morning Prayer - Begin the Day Abiding in God
Morning prayers set the tone for the day even if you are not a morning person. I am a morning person even if my first prayer is "Lord, help me get up." Once I am up, then I do my best work before lunch, but if that is not you, it is still important to start the day with, at the very least, a short devotional and prayer so that we can set our focus on God.
Invite God into Your Morning Routine
Much like my cats, I have a morning routine, and if it gets cut short, it affects my mood all day if I am not very careful. Part of that routine is what I call cats, coffee, and Christ. I take a moment to sit with the cats while I drink coffee and then have a quiet time of Bible reading, journaling, and prayer. It helps me prepare for the day ahead and start off on the right foot.
If your morning looks more like “jump out of bed and run,” may I suggest you take five to ten minutes to read a psalm and say a short prayer before you journey out into whatever adventures or work the day may hold? Psalm 91 is a good example of starting your day with a mindset focused on God instead of your circumstances.
Psalm 91: A Needed Reminder as You Start the Day
The Psalm starts out by acknowledging who God is to us:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
God is our refuge, the one we can trust. The requirement is we must dwell in the secret place of the Most High. We have to abide in God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When our minds are focused on who God is, then we don’t have to worry about what is going on around us.
The next section gives the results of abiding with God:
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. (Psalm 91:3-6)
Because God is our refuge and shield, we do not have to be afraid of danger. It doesn’t say that there won’t be arrows, pestilence, or destruction. It says we don’t have to be afraid because God is with us no matter what may happen.
The following verses (7-13) talk about how God will protect us and send his angels to watch over us. We are not immortal in this body. Wars, plagues, and destruction may come, but we are protected from the fears of such events because we trust in God. Even if such things come to us, we are promised eternal life in Heaven with a body that will be incorruptible and immortal.
I think the most comforting truth is found in verse 15: “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.” No matter the circumstances we can depend upon God to hear and answer our prayers.
Pray the Psalms for Perspective Each Morning
King David wrote many of the Psalms, and we know from history that his life was not a bed of roses. He was pursued by King Saul, his son tried to overthrow his throne, and there was often war and other dangers. Yet, he wrote about God’s protection and provision. Many times he would start a psalm lamenting his circumstances, but then he would shift to talking about who God is. The shift in perspective is what made the difference.
The world is full of conflict, danger, and disease, which often lead to fear. Fear is not of God:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). So, how do we combat the spirit of fear? We, too, have to change our perspectives from focusing on our circumstances to focusing on God.
We can pray our own psalms to God. They don’t have to be as artistic as David’s, or you can even personalize the psalms of David and pray them to the Lord. Lay out your circumstances and your heart to God and then leave them in His capable hands.
A Psalm 91 Morning Prayer
The scriptures tell us, “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up” (Psalm 5:3). When we start the day with looking up, we remind ourselves that God is in control, He is trustworthy, and He will answer our prayers. We have no need to fear. If you are too overwhelmed to voice your own prayer, you can use the following prayer to help you get started:
Father, I thank you for another day of life. Thank you for sending your son to save me from sin. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort me. You are my refuge and shield, and I trust in You. Help me focus on You no matter what is going on around me. When I feel afraid, help me to remember that perfect love casts out all fear. Send me your peace that passes understanding so that I may be a light in a dark world, one that doesn’t know your peace. Show me your will for me today. Help me be aware of the people you put in my path that need a word of encouragement or help and let me be your hands and feet. Help me be aware when the enemy is trying to distract me. As I get ready, prepare my heart, soul, and mind for the day ahead. I know you hear my prayers and will answer them. Thank you for all that you are. Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/SergioYoneda
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer for Peace
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Prayer for Anxiety
Prayer for Strength
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Originally published February 10, 2025.
