Prayer for Protection for Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Placing body, home, travel, and family under God's shield
Morning Prayer editorial team · Updated: November 2026
The psalmist called God a shield, a fortress, and a refuge. Pray this to put everything and everyone you love under that shelter today.
Let us pray
Lord God, my shield and my fortress, I place myself under Your protection today. Cover me with Your hand as I go out and as I come home. Guard my steps, my words, and my choices, so that I may walk safely in Your ways.
Protect my body from accident and illness. Protect my mind from fear and from every lie that would pull me away from You. Protect my soul from sin and from the enemy who prowls looking for a weak moment.
Protect my family. Watch over each of them by name as they travel, work, study, and sleep. Let no harm come to the ones I cannot be beside. Wrap them in the same love with which You wrap me.
Protect this home. Let it be a place of peace where Your name is honored. Keep out violence, division, and despair. Let those who enter find welcome and those who leave carry blessing.
Send Your holy angels to stand guard at every door. Let Saint Michael defend us, and let our guardian angels keep us from danger seen and unseen.
Lord, I cannot foresee every threat, but You can. I cannot be everywhere, but You are. So I trust You with what I cannot control. Hide us in the shadow of Your wings, and let us rest in Your protection, today and every day. Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord be your shield by day and your watchman by night, and may His angels guard all whom you love.
How to pray this prayer
- Find a quiet moment and breathe slowly.
- Read the prayer aloud or in your heart.
- Add your own intention before the Amen.
Frequently asked questions
When should I pray a prayer for protection?
Many people pray it in the morning before leaving home, before a journey, or when they feel uneasy. It is also a good prayer to say over children before school or travel.
Does praying for protection guarantee nothing bad will happen?
No prayer is a magic shield. God promises to be with us in every circumstance, and He often protects us in ways we never see. Prayer places us consciously in His care and gives us peace.
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