20 Prayers for Protection During Life's Difficult Circumstances
Find comfort in these prayers when everything else feels out of control.
Life is filled with plenty of ups and downs. And during difficult periods of time or challenging circumstances, people of faith turn to prayer for peace, guidance and refuge. No matter what you or a loved one may be going through, these 20 prayers of protection are sure to be a shield as well as an encouraging reminder of who is in control and on the throne.
There are plenty of different reasons and motivations to pray for protection, such as asking God for help against spiritual warfare, physical ailments, dangerous conditions, mental health concerns, hurtful gossip, and more. When you are up against something you wish you could control or figure out yourself, it can be easy to spiral into fearful thoughts, frustration, and what-if scenarios. However, surrendering our will can be incredibly freeing—especially as it allows us to move into a more trusting, vulnerable position to ask God for His protection and aid.
While simply asking for help from the ultimate Defender is more than enough, you may find that reading through various prayer examples can assist you with becoming more specific and conveying exactly how you're feeling and what you need—whether you're dealing with a casual, nagging worry, or facing paralyzing fear. These 20 prayers for protection may be helpful to repeat verbatim or to use as inspiration for your impromptu thoughts with the Lord.
20 Prayers for Protection
1. "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.' 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. You will not fear the terror of the 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." — Psalm 91:1-7
2. "The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore your defense, and make you know and feel that the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." — The Book of Common Prayer
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3. "My faith is in You and You alone. Apart from You, I can do nothing. With You, I can do all things. No temptation that comes my way can penetrate Your protecting hand. I will not be afraid, for You are going with me throughout this day. When I am tempted, I will claim my victory out loud ahead of time, for You have promised victory even now because I know there are fiery darts headed my way even as I pray. Lord, you already know what they are and have already provided the way of escape." — Charles Stanley
4. "Lord, all day may you give me an awareness of your presence, fruitfulness yet patience with your appointments, wisdom and compassion in my dealings, and Fatherly protection against dangers and adversities. Let me accept whatever degree of success or difficulty in my work you give me this day, and especially make me compassionate and ready to be interrupted in order to do good to others. In Jesus’s name." — Tim Keller
5. "Father, thank You that I am covered by the blood of Jesus. Thank You that I have Your protection over every area of my life and family. I believe that You have put a blood line of protection around me and no weapon formed against me will prosper. In Jesus' Name, Amen." — Joel Osteen
6. "God, we thank you for the inspiration of Jesus. Grant that we will love you with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, even our enemy neighbors. And we ask you, God, in these days of emotional tension, when the problems of the world are gigantic in extent and chaotic in detail, to be with us in our going out and our coming in, in our rising up and in our lying down, in our moments of joy and in our moments of sorrow, until the day when there shall be no sunset and no dawn. Amen." — Martin Luther King Jr.
7. "Father, thank You for being with me at all times. Your Word says You will never forsake me, and You will protect me from those who would harm me (see Hebrews 13:5). Help me to regularly spend time with You and daily focus on Your love and protection. In Jesus’ Name, Amen." — Joyce Meyer
8. "O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity: Be present in your goodness with your servant N., that his weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that, his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." — The Book of Common Prayer
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9. "Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the truth and not my feelings. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be. Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity...rather than a personal inconvenience. And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13a, 'Great is your love toward me.'" — Lysa TerKeurst
10. "Lord, I pray Your emotional, physical, and spiritual protection over my kids (grandkids). Keep evil far from them, and help them to trust You as their refuge and strength. I pray You will guard their minds from harmful instruction, and grant them discernment to recognize truth. I pray You will make them strong and courageous in the presence of danger, recognizing that You have overcome and will set right all injustice and wrong one day. Help them to find rest in Your shadow, as they live in the spiritual shelter You provide for them. Let them know that the only safe place is in Jesus, and that their home on earth is only temporary." — Rebecca Barlow Jordan
11. "O Holy Spirit, give me faith that will protect me from despair, from passions, and from vice; give me such love for God and men as will blot out all hatred and bitterness; give me the hope that will deliver me from fear and faint-heartedness. Amen." — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
12. "God, because You are with me, I have no reason to fear. Help me to stop worrying. Help me to relax and rest in the promises of Your Word. I know You are with me because the Bible says so. I also know You never will give me more than I can handle. Lord, thank You for giving me the faith to trust You in this situation, and the strength of character I need to get through it in perfect obedience to Your Word. I pray right now for Your wisdom and guidance, Your favor and protection. And in the name of Jesus, I receive Your peace. In Jesus' name, Amen." — Joyce Meyer
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13. "O Lord, defend us from all dangers and also from the fear of them tonight. Grant us grace, not only to rest our bodies, but to have spiritual repose, in soul and conscience, in your grace and love, so we might be comforted and eased in all ways. And since no day passes that I do not sin in so many ways, please bury all my offenses in your mercy, that I might not lose your presence. Forgive me for Jesus’s sake. Finally, grant us grace always to live in such a state that we may never be afraid to die; so that, living and dying, we may be yours, through the merits and satisfaction of your Son Christ Jesus, in whose name we offer up these our imperfect prayers. Amen." — Tim Keller
14. "Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by thy gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." — The Book of Common Prayer
15. "Cause your people to have their/our eyes opened to the devil’s devices and schemes and to stand strong against him." — Beth Moore
16. "My heart, O God, needs Thy most sacred protection. Keep me from the infiltration of sin into my life so that I may glorify Thee in everything I do.” — A.W. Tozer
17. "Lord, I’m here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to depend on you to help me through the day and all it will bring my way. Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision and protection. As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child and Your representative to the world around me. Help me live today in a way that brings honor to Your holy name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” — Charles Stanley
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18. "May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen." — The Book of Common Prayer
19. "O God, the Shepherd of all Thy people, deliver the same from all sins which do assail them, that so they may ever be pleasing in Thy sight, and safe under Thy shelter; for Christ’s sake. Amen." — Roman Breviary
20. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." — Psalm 23:4
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