The Bible tells us that the same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives within us, Your children. We acknowledge and declare that You will enable us, by Your grace, to stop and renounce the lies that fill our souls with angst.
In 2011, a series of events triggered the most intense anxiety I’ve encountered. By 2013, in my struggle to cope with certain life-altering challenges, my already obsessive tendencies had increased until I felt enslaved by fear. I read my Bible every morning, almost without fail. I meditated on, memorized, and held tight to verses that spoke of God’s power and faithful care. Yet, the peace Scripture promised seemed to evade me. I soon became discouraged. Attributing my inner angst to biology, I came to believe I’d never truly experience inner calm. That I was simply an anxious person, descended from a long line of habitual worriers.
But then one day, in the middle of a fretful state, a thought filled my brain with such authority, I knew it came from God: This was not how He wanted me to live. Scripture says He called me to an unhindered, unshackled, thriving life (Galatians 5:1; John 10:10). Bolstered by this promise, I chose to believe He would teach me how to grab hold of the freedom He’d died to give me.
From that day on, I began actively and consistently battling my fear with prayer. Whenever I felt a burst of anxiety, I asked God to take it from me and flood my soul with His calming presence. I didn’t notice any difference for a long time. But I kept praying. Then one day, about six months later, I noticed that certain situations which previously triggered my fight-or-flight reflexes barely bothered me and that other worries had disappeared entirely. God had been working after all!
While I’m far from “cured,” that experience reminded me of the importance of persistence. I’ve also discovered the power we receive when we incorporate Scripture, God’s very words, into our prayers. Perhaps you’ll find this practice helpful as well.
Here are 5 biblically based prayer prompts to help you embrace each day less afraid:
1. A Prayer to Declare God’s Power over Fear
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline" (1 Timothy 1:7, NIV).
Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, where He strengthens, comforts, guides, and transforms us. When fears arise, remind us that they don’t come from You, nor do You want us to live afraid. The Bible tells us that the same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives within us, Your children. We acknowledge and declare that You will enable us, by Your grace, to stop and renounce the lies that fill our souls with angst.
Lord, Your love assures us that we’re never alone and will never face a problem or challenge on our own. You’ve also given us self-discipline to consistently pray against our worries and fears, even when it feels as if they aren’t decreasing. In the name of Your Victorious Son, our Savior, Jesus, we pray, amen.
For additional encouragement, listen to the Faith Over Fear episode titled “Finding Peace in the God of Heaven’s Armies”.
2. A Prayer to Help Us Rest in Our Protector and Defender
"The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1, NIV).
God, You are the source of all light, completely free of any hint of darkness. You illuminate the deepest places within me, expelling every shadow and flooding my soul with Your goodness. You bring clarity to my confusion and truth to counter areas of deception. I don’t need to see far ahead, Father, nor will I fret about all of life’s unknowns for You have promised to make clear my every step.
You are also my stronghold, an allusion to the fortified cities of old in which Your people hid when under attack. You surround me with Your impenetrable love more securely than the thickest city walls behind which the ancient Israelites sheltered. You are a tower around me, my Shield, and my God. You hold my life, and the lives of those I love, firmly in Your mighty hand.
For additional encouragement, listen to the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast episode titled “The God Who Conquers Fear”.
3. A Prayer for Enduring Dark Seasons
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4, NIV).
Father, I know You are with me wherever I go. When I go through difficult and painful seasons, I may feel abandoned and alone. But Your Word, the Bible, promises that You are always with me and will never leave. I also know that, while I, at times, will walk through dark valleys, my suffering won’t last forever. You will turn my weeping into joy and give me beauty in place of ashes.
Just as ancient shepherds used their rods to protect their sheep from predators, so You protect me. You guide me as faithfully and gently as the shepherds with their staffs led vulnerable and dependent lambs to refreshing streams and lush grass. You are my God, my Father, my Protector, and Defender. Defend, protect, and provide for me now. Hold me close and surround me with Your love.
For additional encouragement, listen to the Faith Over Fear podcast episode titled “Trusting Our Good Shepherd to Lead Us”.
4. A Prayer for When You Need Help
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1, NIV).
God, Creator and Sustainer of all, You are my constant refuge, the One to whom I can always turn. Shelter me with Your love and flood the depths of my soul with supernatural strength. I need Your help, Lord. Go before me and clear a path so I don’t stumble. When my circumstances feel overwhelming, remind me of Your power exerted on my behalf.
I thank You that You see me and know every challenge I face. The trouble before me feels overwhelming and more than I can bear. But You will carry my burdens. I give each of them to You now. Give me the courage to release my greatest concerns to You now, knowing, in Your perfect wisdom, You will handle my every problem better than I. You see beyond what I’m facing today to where You will bring me tomorrow. And as I wait for Your rescue, help me to trust more deeply in You.
5. A prayer for When You Feel Rejected
"But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine'” (Isaiah 43:1, NIV).
Father, You speak to me personally, through Scripture, the sunset, friends, church leaders, and gentle whispers that sweep through my soul. You speak to me because You love me and want me to rest in Your care, because I am your child, Your creation.
You formed me and know me. You saw me, my strengths and weaknesses, well before I took my first breath. You see everything about me, accept me as I am, and lovingly and patiently call out my best. You tell me not to fear because You have redeemed me. You paid for my freedom through the death of Your Son and assured me of Your power to set me free when He rose from the dead.
I am not merely one of a billion to You. I’m not a random body moving about unseen on the earth. You have called me by name and claim me as Your own. Your child, your beloved, sealed by Your Spirit and invited near. When I feel afraid, remind me of who I am to You and all the blessings that come from our eternal union. Encourage my heart with Your truths.
I love You. I praise You, and I will hold tight to You, even as You hold tight to me.
For additional encouragement, listen to the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast episode titled “The God Who Seeks Out the Rejected.”
May these verses and prayers embolden your heart when your world becomes chaotic. May they flood you with peace when your circumstances feel out of your control. Use them as prompts, adding to them as thoughts, concerns, and divine promises come to mind, knowing your God heeds Your every cry. Cast your every concern upon Him, because He cares for you. The more you turn to Him, depend on Him, seek His help, and remind yourself, through prayer, of these immutable truths, the more the Holy Spirit will increase your faith, simultaneously decreasing your fears.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Sam Thoman
Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLou
She’s passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube.
