Psalm 91:1-2, 14-16

“1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.””

Today's text, which speaks of "dwelling in the secret place of the Most High and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty," reflects a deep praise for God that can be experienced in the depths of life or in the midst of historical turmoil. While our faith is communal, each individual can also have personal and holy experiences with God. These personal experiences can then contribute to the collective experience of the community.

Prayer is a personal experience that no one else can do for you. While parents, pastors, or fellow believers can intercede on your behalf, that prayer is not your own. The experience of dwelling in the secret place and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty is something that can be deeply experienced only through personal prayer. The confession, "I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,'" is made by those who have experienced God in that secret place.

Prayer is not just about attending prayer meetings, believing in the power of prayer, or reading books about prayer. Prayer becomes real only when it is actually done. Truly experiencing God as a refuge in the secret place during morning prayer involves bringing one's life before God, exposing deep fears and confessions, and enjoying the peace that the Lord provides.

Prayer: Lord, who meets us in the secret place, we come before You this morning in prayer. As we bring the depths of our hearts before You, speak to us intimately and let Your presence be with us. Bless this day so that we may walk with You, find satisfaction, and experience You more deeply. Amen.

(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)

Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.