Over the years, Psalm 91 has been referred to as the Trench Psalm, and for good reason. Through countless wars, soldiers have turned to Psalm 91 for encouragement and comfort. Soldiers have recited it, prayed, confessed. Even the relatives of those soldiers were doing the same.

Why turn to the Scriptures?
Faith-filled prayer is powerful. But, when destruction is knocking at the door or rolling across the horizon, it’s hard to keep your emotions and intellect aligned enough to pray with confident faith. Fear, anxiety, and restlessness take over. This is not the most effective posture from which to pray. No problem!

So a powerful antidote: Pray the Scriptures, more specifically pray Psalm 91. The Psalm becomes a guide, a mentor to pray with confidence and faith, no matter how bad the situation you face.

Why go to Psalm 91?
The authorship of Psalm 91 is not conclusively established. But, Bible scholars seem to agree that either Moses or David wrote this one in their later lives. Both men learned to trust God and walk with Him through the most hair-raising scenarios. The lives of any of them could become an action-packed, suspenseful TV miniseries.

And, it would all be true.

So when a champion of the faith is inspired by God to write words of encouragement for all who will follow, we sit up and take note. Better yet, we stand in prayer and raise the banner that this champion is broadcasting. We take the images and words from Psalm 91 to use in our own prayers.

God is faithful to protect and deliver. He is your fortress, high tower, the place where we can run for safety. The key to this protection is in the first verse. We must be close, abide in Him, let Him be the Secret Place, another reality to be rooted in.

Praying Psalm 91 continuously is a method to stay close and stay in God.

Why pray continuously?
Keeping a scripture like Psalm 91 going around and around in prayer does wonders for overcoming negative, fear-filled self-talk. So two things are fulfilled in this sentence:

One The power of Heaven is released in the situation you are praying for. Remember, God’s Word is alive and active, alive with his power. And, now you’re releasing it. Is it a mind-boggling concept?

Two As you pray Psalm 91, your mind is renewed according to God’s promises. Your way of thinking changes. And as your thinking changes, your behavior changes. Is that how it works. Thought controls behavior.

Going back to the trench image: It has long been known that soldiers who are confident, who have their fear under control, have a much better chance of surviving a battle.

Pray with Psalm 91 and increase your chances of surviving the battle you now face.