When I Am Afraid

WHEN I AM AFRAID

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

O God, have mercy on me,

for people are hounding me.

My foes attack me all day long.

I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,

and many are boldly attacking me.

But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

They are always twisting what I say;

they spend their days plotting to harm me.

They come together to spy on me—

watching my every step, eager to kill me.

Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;

in your anger, O God, bring them down.

You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.

My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.

This I know: God is on my side!

I praise God for what he has promised;

yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,

and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.

For you have rescued me from death;

you have kept my feet from slipping.

So now I can walk in your presence, O God,

in your life-giving light.

None of us is immune to fear. The question is, what will we do when we’re afraid? After all, fear can be debilitating and prevent us from acting as God calls. If we are afraid to travel somewhere he has called us and we bail on the trip as a result, we will miss what he has in store for us there. If we are afraid to have a hard conversation with someone even though we know it’s what the relationship needs, we may miss a healing opportunity. If we are afraid of a grand tragedy that might strike, and that fear keeps us from living fully in the present moment, we will be too focused on what could be and fail to see what is. God acts in the here and now, and fear is our biggest barrier to experiencing his presence and following in his ways. How might our lives be shaped if when we are afraid we turn our trust to God?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• What are some fears that keep you from fully experiencing God’s presence? What underlies those fears?
• Reflect on whether there is something God is calling you to do that you’ve been avoiding out of fear. What comes to mind? What step do you sense him inviting you to take?

Free me from fear, Lord. Increase my ability to trust you, and show me how to actually do it. When fear strikes, I can feel paralyzed and uncertain about how exactly to return to you. You know my deepest fears and how I cope with them. Bring healing to what underlies those fears, and when they arise, give me the presence of mind to say, Why should I be afraid? I trust in God. As best I know how, I trust you and long to trust you more. Help me. Amen.