Evening Prayer, January 16, 2025: Nightly Prayer for Preservation

As the evening descends and we prepare for rest, we turn our hearts to the word of God for assurance of preservation. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Here, Jesus likens believers to salt, emphasizing our role not only in adding flavor but also in preserving the goodness of the world from decay.

Scriptural Context:

Preservation by God: Just as salt preserves, God promises to preserve His people. Psalm 121:7-8 assures us, “The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” This speaks to the divine preservation over our lives, day and night.

Eternal Preservation: Our preservation extends beyond the physical to the spiritual. In John 10:28, Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Here, the preservation is of our souls, ensuring our place in His kingdom.

Protection in Trials: Even in the midst of trials, we are preserved. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” This highlights the divine preservation amidst the temptations and trials of life.

Nightly Prayer for Preservation:

Heavenly Father,

As night falls and we seek rest, we come before You, embracing Your promise of preservation. You have called us the salt of the earth. This is a reminder of our role to preserve goodness in a world prone to decay. Lord, we ask that You preserve us this night from every form of harm. Protect us from decay, just as salt preserves against corruption.

Protect our minds from anxious thoughts, our bodies from illness, and our spirits from despair. Let Your presence be our shield, as You promise in Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Lord, preserve our families, our homes, and our community. Keep us from the moral decay that surrounds us, maintaining our saltiness, our effectiveness in Your kingdom. Help us to be lights in the darkness, preserving truth and righteousness where we are planted.

We trust in Your word, which states, Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Tonight, we rest in the assurance that You, our Shepherd, preserve us, guiding us through the night into a new dawn of Your grace and mercy.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Prayer Points for Preservation:

• Spiritual Integrity: Pray for preservation of your spiritual integrity, that you might remain a beacon of righteousness.
• Physical Health: Ask for God’s preservation over your health, protecting you from sickness or harm during the night.
• Mental Peace: Ask for peace of mind, that your thoughts would be guarded from anxiety and fear.
• Family Safety: Pray for the safety of your loved ones. Pray for their preservation as well. Ask that they be kept under God’s watchful eye.
• Moral Witness: Seek God’s help to keep your witness in the world, ensuring that your influence preserves goodness and truth.

Declaration for Preservation:

1. Psalm 121:7-8: “The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
   • Declaration: I declare that the Lord watches over my life, keeping me from all harm. He guards my coming and going, now and forevermore.
2. Psalm 91:4: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
   • Declaration: I declare that I am covered by the Lord’s feathers and find refuge under His wings. His faithfulness is my shield and protection.
3. John 10:28: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
   • Declaration: I declare that I have eternal life through Jesus Christ. I will never perish, and no one can snatch me out of His hand.
4. Psalm 23:1: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
   • Declaration: I declare that the Lord is my shepherd, and I lack nothing. He provides for all my needs and preserves me.

Reflection:

Think on how being called the “salt of the earth” challenges you to live a life of preservation. Consider the areas in your life where you need divine preservation. How can you actively participate in the preservation of your community or church?

Closing Thought:

As you lay down to rest, keep in mind that your preservation is not just for your advantage. It is also for the glory of God and the preservation of His kingdom on earth. Let this nightly prayer be a reminder of God’s unending faithfulness. He will keep you. He will preserve you. He will use you for His purposes.