PRESERVE ME OH LORD IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES

Security, Protection, and Peace Amid Uncertainty

Text: Psalm 91:1–16

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Memory Verse: Psalm 121:7 “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.”

We live in a world filled with uncertainty, instability, unexpected challenges, and situations beyond human control. Families face difficult seasons, businesses encounter pressures, relationships are tested, and many people wonder what tomorrow may bring. Yet, for the child of God, uncertainty does not mean insecurity. Troubled times cannot cancel God’s power to preserve His people. Divine preservation does not always mean the absence of trouble. Noah was preserved through the flood. Daniel was preserved in the lions’ den. The three Hebrew children passed through the fire without being destroyed. David survived the pursuit of his enemies, and Paul endured storms, persecution, and imprisonment. Their preservation was not because trouble never came; it was because God was with them in the midst of trouble. Jesus declared, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. Therefore, our prayer is not only, “Lord, keep trouble away from me,” but also, “Lord, preserve me whenever trouble comes.” Psalm 91 reveals God as our secret place, refuge, fortress, and covering. The secret place speaks of fellowship, prayer, obedience, and intimacy with God. When God becomes our dwelling place, His presence becomes our security.

God also preserves us from dangers we cannot see. Hidden traps, wrong decisions, destructive relationships, unexpected journeys, and unseen dangers may surround us, but God sees what we cannot see and knows what we do not know. He preserves us from the terror by night and the arrows that fly by day. While we sleep, God remains awake. While we cannot watch over ourselves, our Keeper never sleeps nor slumbers. Divine preservation also extends beyond our physical lives. God preserves our destiny, calling, purpose, family, faith, testimony, opportunities, spiritual fire, relationships, and future.

This Month of September, we are standing on God’s promises with confidence: The storm may be real, but God’s preservation is greater.

May the Lord preserve our going out and coming in, protect us from visible and invisible dangers, silence every weapon formed against us, and give us peace amid uncertainty. We are preserved because God is our refuge, our keeper, our shield, and our peace.

COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 80: “GUARDING MY SPIRITUAL PROVISION”

by Apostle James Abache

Prayers:

1. Lord, Preserve Me from Sudden Death

Psalm 118:17: “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”

A traveler crossing a dangerous bridge needs a strong handrail to keep him from falling into the deep waters below. Life can encounter unexpected dangers, but God’s preserving power keeps His children from premature destruction. The psalmist confidently declared that he would live to testify of God’s works. Tonight, we ask the Lord to preserve our lives, deliver us from sudden calamity, and give us grace to fulfill our God-given purpose.

Prayer Points

• Father, preserve my life from sudden death, premature departure, accidents, disasters, and every hidden danger assigned against me, my family, and destiny this season.
• Lord Jesus, cover me and my household with Your divine protection; let every appointment with death be cancelled, and let Your mercy preserve us continually throughout this season.
• I declare that I shall live and fulfil God’s purpose; I shall testify of His goodness and declare His works throughout my generation in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

2. Lord, Preserve Me and Every Member of My Family from Accidents and Hidden Dangers

Psalm 91:11–12

11. “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

A convoy moving through a dangerous area is protected because trained escorts watch for threats before they reach the travelers. God’s angels provide divine protection over His children. Accidents can occur suddenly and without warning, but we trust God’s preserving power over our lives and families. As we commit our going out and coming in to Him, we ask Him to shield us from collisions, falls, disasters, and every unseen danger throughout this month.

Prayer Points

• Father, assign Your mighty angels over me and every member of my family; preserve us from accidents, collisions, falls, fires, disasters, and sudden dangers everywhere we shall go this month.
• Lord Jesus, protect our going out and coming in; let every journey, transportation, workplace, home, school, and daily activity remain under Your divine covering.
• I declare that no accident shall terminate our lives or destiny; every journey shall end safely, and God’s preserving hand shall remain upon my family forever in Jesus’ name. Amen.

3. Lord, Preserve Me from Hidden Traps and Night Terrors

Psalm 91:3–5

3. “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.”

A bird can become trapped by a hidden snare because the danger is concealed beneath an ordinary-looking path. Hidden traps and unexpected dangers may exist without being immediately visible. Psalm 91 assures us that God sees what we cannot see and is able to deliver His children from concealed dangers and terrifying situations. His covering gives us confidence at night and during the day, replacing fear with assurance, safety, and divine protection.

Prayer Points

• Father, deliver me and my family from every hidden trap, secret snare, evil plot, and concealed danger prepared against our lives and destinies in Jesus’ name. Amen.
• Lord Jesus, let Your truth become our shield and buckler; silence every terror of the night, evil arrow, frightening dream, and hidden attack against our household.
• I declare that I shall not fear the terror by night or arrows by day; God’s covering surrounds me and my family in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

4. Lord, Preserve My Spiritual Life

Jude 1:24–25

24. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

A flame must be protected and supplied with fuel to keep burning brightly. Our spiritual lives require continual fellowship with God, prayer, His Word, and obedience. Without spiritual nourishment, passion can gradually weaken and faith can become vulnerable. Jude reminds us that God is able to keep us from falling. His preserving grace strengthens our faith, protects our walk, restores our passion, and helps us remain faithful until the end.

Prayer Points

• Father, preserve my spiritual life from lukewarmness, distraction, temptation, compromise, and spiritual decline; keep my heart passionate for You and Your kingdom.
• Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith and deepen my hunger for prayer, Scripture, worship, holiness, and fellowship; let nothing separate me from Your presence throughout my journey.
• Holy Spirit, keep me from falling into sin and spiritual deception; preserve my testimony, strengthen my obedience, and present me faithful before God’s glorious presence in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

5. Lord Preserve Our Businesses and Resources

Psalm 90:17 “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”

A well-built house still needs strong foundations and regular maintenance to withstand storms and remain standing. Businesses, investments, careers, and resources require God’s preservation and establishment to survive unexpected challenges. Human effort alone cannot guarantee lasting success. When God establishes the work of our hands, He gives stability, wisdom, protection, and fruitfulness. We therefore ask Him to preserve everything entrusted to us from losses, destruction, waste, and unprofitable ventures.

Prayer Points

• Father, establish and preserve every business, investment, career, property, and resource entrusted to me; protect the work of my hands from loss, destruction, and failure. Amen.
• Lord Jesus, frustrate every scheme that seeks to drain, steal, waste, or destroy my resources; grant me wisdom to manage everything You have placed in my hands faithfully. Amen.
• I declare that the work of my hands shall prosper and remain established; my businesses and resources shall produce lasting fruit and advance God’s purpose in Jesus’ name. Amen.

6. Lord, Preserve Me from Falsehood, Error, and Spiritual Deception

Matthew 24:4–5

4. “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

A counterfeit key may look genuine but can lead someone toward the wrong door. Deception works similarly, appearing convincing while quietly leading people away from God’s truth and purpose. Jesus warned His disciples to remain watchful because deception can be subtle and widespread. Spiritual preservation requires discernment, knowledge of the Scripture, prayer, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. As we remain grounded in Christ, we can recognize falsehood and avoid destructive spiritual and worldly influences.

Prayer Points

• Father, preserve my heart and mind from every deception, false teaching, counterfeit opportunity, manipulation, and misleading voices seeking to divert me from Your purpose.
• Lord Jesus, increase my discernment through Your Word and Holy Spirit; expose every falsehood around me and give me wisdom to recognize truth and reject error completely.
• Holy Spirit, keep me spiritually at alert and firmly established in Christ; let no deception, strange doctrine, or counterfeit voice overcome my faith or redirect my destiny. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

7. Preservation Until the Fulfilment of God’s Purpose

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

A builder does not begin constructing a house with the intention of leaving it unfinished. Every foundation, wall, and roof is part of a greater plan leading toward completion. God begins His work in our lives with divine purpose and intention. Though challenges, delays, and opposition may arise, His preserving grace keeps us moving forward. God is faithful to sustain, strengthen, and preserve us until His purpose is fully accomplished.

Prayer Points

• Father, preserve my life until every purpose You have ordained for me is fulfilled; let no power terminate, divert, or interrupt Your divine assignment. Amen.
• Lord Jesus, sustain me through every trial, delay, opposition, and difficult season; give me grace, strength, wisdom, and endurance to complete everything You have committed into my hands. Amen.
• Holy Spirit, keep me faithful until the end; preserve my faith, calling, family, ministry, and destiny until every good work God began in me is completely fulfilled. Amen.

Declaration

In the mighty and victorious name of Jesus Christ, I declare that my life is preserved by the power, mercy, and covenant of God. I shall not die before my appointed time. I shall live to declare the works of the Lord, and I shall fulfil every purpose Heaven has ordained for my life.

I declare that the Lord preserves my going out and my coming in. Every journey, movement, assignment, and daily activity is covered by divine protection. I am preserved from accidents, sudden death, calamities, disasters, hidden traps, evil arrows, and every danger assigned against my life and household.

I declare that every member of my family is preserved. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. The Lord shall command His angels concerning us, and His mighty hand shall continually protect our homes, businesses, careers, ministries, and possessions.

I declare that my spiritual life shall not be destroyed. I shall not fall away from the presence of God. My faith shall remain strong, my prayer altar shall remain burning, and my hunger for God’s Word shall increase. I receive grace to walk in holiness, obedience, wisdom, and spiritual sensitivity.

I declare that my businesses, resources, investments, properties, and the work of my hands are preserved and established. Every force of loss, waste, destruction, and financial leakage is defeated in Jesus’ name.

I declare that I shall not be deceived. My spiritual eyes are open, my ears are attentive, and my heart is discerning. I shall recognize truth, reject error, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Above all, I declare that God will preserve me until His purpose is fulfilled. What He has started in my life shall not remain unfinished. I shall complete my assignment, finish my race, fulfil my calling, and enter into every promise appointed for me.

I am preserved.
My family is preserved.
My destiny is preserved.
My purpose is preserved.

I shall fulfil God’s purpose and finish strong, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Beloved followers, partners, listeners, and friends of Covenant Gate Devotional and Prayer Ministry, we warmly welcome you to August 2026 Midnight Encounter. As we enter a new month, we encourage everyone to remain steadfast in prayer, faith, and fellowship with God.
• Today, September 1st, 2026, is a special and joyful day as our beloved Apostle James Izebeafe Abache celebrates his 60th birthday. We give all glory, honour, and thanksgiving to Almighty God for His faithfulness, preservation, grace, and mercy throughout these sixty years.
• Sixty years is a remarkable testimony of God’s goodness. We therefore invite the entire Covenant Gate family to join in celebrating and thanking God for the life of His servant on Sunday 6th September 2026 at the Auditorium of St. Joseph’s Chosen Church of God, Sari Iganmu Branch, By School Bus Stop on the Lagos Badagry Expressway.
• Let us pray for continued divine preservation, renewed strength, excellent health, greater wisdom, fresh anointing, increased grace, and the fulfilment of every remaining purpose and assignment God has ordained for his life.
• As we celebrate this milestone, may the coming years be greater than the years behind. May God enlarge his territory, strengthen his ministry, establish the work of his hands, and make him a greater blessing to families, generations, and the Kingdom of God.

Please join us in lifting our voices in thanksgiving and prayer as we celebrate 60 years of God’s faithfulness.

Happy 60th Birthday, Apostle James Izebeafe Abache!

May your new decade be filled with greater grace, deeper revelation, divine preservation, supernatural strength, fruitful service, abundant testimonies, and lasting impact.

Congratulations, Sir!

To God alone be all the glory!

In Jesus’ mighty and victorious name. Amen.

The Grace in Fellowship

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore.

Surely, Goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.