In a time marked by uncertainty, anxiety, and overwhelming voices, a new prayer titled "A Prayer for the Fearful" offers a quiet but resolute call back to trust, surrender, and divine dependence.
Our voices waver as we hear the cacophony of discouragements-
the words of others sting our souls...
Our arms grow weak when we feel the weight of tomorrow on our shoulders-
the burden of providence we were never meant to manage.
Our eyes grow dim and blurry as fearful images crowd our sight-
visions of failure, loss, and endings we cannot control.
This is because we are so full of ourselves.
We trust our voices, our arms, our eyes-
until they fail us.
So, Lord, deplete us,
that we may be replenished by You.
Decrease us, Lord,
that Jesus may increase.
Train our ears to listen to Your voice, for Your Word says:
"The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, 'Glory!'"
(Psalm 29:8-9, NIV)
Teach us to lean on Your arms.
As Isaiah prays, so we pray:
May your arm be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.
May Your eyes be our vision, for Your Word declares:
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth
to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
(2 Chronicles 16:9a, NIV)
Strengthen your people as we look to you.
So that we will be fearful of trial's raging waters because of you.
Replace our fears with your holy fear.
So that we can walk on the waters and know that:
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and you won't start now.
Amen.
