A Prayer In Faithful Response To God Telling Us "Don't Be Afraid"

DON'T BE AFRAID

We return again today to a theme because God’s word returns to it over and over again.  About 365 times in scripture – that would be one for every day – we are told “Fear Not – Don’t Be Afraid.”  When life is going on in an ordinary season we are less often conscious of our fears and anxieties.  Oh, they are often lurking somewhere not far from us – whether it is fears for our loved ones, ourselves, or our future. 

We are vulnerable people.  We were created that way by the God who loves us and who always intended us to live in constant reliance on His goodness, trusting His generous heart to always be there for us. So, it’s not wrong to feel vulnerable.  Where we veer off the path God is putting before us today is when we only look around us or within ourselves to see solutions and those things that give us security and stability going forward.  What we see there will always be hopelessly inadequate and leave us feeling uncertain and anxious to one degree or another.

Our daily responsibility is to simply look up to God and put our trust in Him again as the sole source of all we need today and going forward.

Today we will do things a little differently as we pray.  We will make some bold claims that are completely trustworthy because they are God’s Word to us found in the Bible.  Once again, we’ve changed some pronouns to “You and us” from “He and they” so we speak to our own hearts but everything else is as we read it.  Let’s be encouraged today as we say:

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for our God is coming to destroy our enemies. He is coming to save us.”  Isaiah 35:4

So we have not received a spirit that makes us fearful slaves. Instead, we received God’s Spirit when he adopted us as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”  Romans 8:15

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  Romans 8:38

God you have promised us:  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

Don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.  Matthew 10:26

Thank you Jesus for the reminder You gave us when You said:  “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.  Matthew 10:28-31

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.  1 Peter 3:14

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9