Raw Prayers: Praying Through Our FearsSample

PRAYING THROUGH FEAR WITH PRAISE

Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel 22 are nearly identical. 2 Samuel records David’s personal song, and Psalm 18 records it as a song of praise for deliverance for the whole nation of Israel. When we remember how God faithfully answered our prayers and came through for us in the past, it gives us the courage to overcome our present fears. Through practice, we can learn to praise God in advance for the ways He is working to calm our fears and deal with our issues before we even see those answers.

While prayers of honest lament help us define and express our fears, prayers of praise can also act as an antidote for unhealthy fear. As we rehearse God’s past goodness in our lives, thank Him specifically for His awesome characteristics, or sing songs of worship, we may find our fears moving farther into the background of our minds as God comes into the center. Chuck Swindoll writes, “When we have God in clear focus, His powerful presence eclipses our fear.” As we remind ourselves that God never changes, that He loves us, champions us, and always has good plans for us no matter the circumstances, our prayers can shift toward praise that ushers in His peace.

Ask Yourself:

-How have you seen praising God lead you to peace when you are afraid?

-What are praise songs or prayers you use during times of fear?

-A lyric by Bethel Music says, “Let praise be a weapon that silences the enemy”—how can praise silence the lies and fear the enemy throws at you?

Pause to pray through your fears: Read Psalm 18:1-5 as your prayer to the Lord and thank Him specifically for a time (or times) that He saved you from physical danger or enemies or from Satan’s attacks or accusations.

Take a Next Step: Think back over your life and begin a list of ways God has been faithful to you and protected or rescued you. This list will be a resource to remind you of His faithfulness when you are afraid. Add Matthew 6:34 and Isaiah 43:1 to your list of promises and characteristics of God.