A Prayer for Fear
When fear grips you, pray it out loud. Tell God exactly what frightens you, and ask Him to go with you into it. The prayer below is built on Isaiah 41:10, where God promises to strengthen, help, and hold you, so you don't have to be brave on your own.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
A prayer
Lord, I am afraid, and I will not pretend otherwise in front of You. The thing I am dreading feels larger than my faith right now. But Your Word doesn't say "do not fear" and then leave me alone in it. It says "do not fear, for I am with you." That is the part I need. Be with me. Go ahead of me into what I am dreading. Steady my hands and my voice. Remind me that You have carried me through every other thing I once thought I could not survive. I do not need to feel brave; I only need to know You are near. Hold me up with Your right hand when my own strength gives out. I choose to take the next step trusting that You are already on the other side of it. In Jesus' name, amen.
Reflection
"Do not fear" shows up in Scripture more than almost any other command. That isn't because fear is sinful. It's because God knows how often we will feel it. And nearly every time He says it, He gives a reason. He doesn't tell us the danger is small. He tells us, "I am with you."
Courage, in the Bible, is rarely the absence of fear. It is fear that has been handed to God and walked through anyway. You can be afraid and faithful in the same breath.
Whatever you are dreading today, you are not asked to face it on your own strength. The same God who upholds galaxies has promised His right hand to you, personally.
Common questions
What is a simple prayer to overcome fear?
"Lord, I am afraid, but I know You are with me. Go before me, steady my heart, and give me courage for the next step. I trust You. Amen."
Which Bible verse helps most with fear?
Isaiah 41:10 and 2 Timothy 1:7 ("God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind") are two of the most turned-to verses for fear.
Related prayers
Part of the Faith Over Fear theme.
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