Friday, November 3
Day 12: Prayer for the Fearful
SCRIPTURE
“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I look in triumph over my enemies.
The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.”
– Psalm 118:6-7;16-17, NIV
A few years ago, my wife came home from work and told me about a friend who was dealing with physical abuse from her father. Even as an adult, she was living in fear of her abusive father.
Fear: a very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger
These are not the words anyone would expect to hear when referring to one’s father. As a father of two young children, this situation didn’t sit well with me. This person was once a child who lived in fear. She was now an adult who had moved to a different state. She was running from fear, only to find herself still living in fear. She didn’t feel safe in her own home, so we offered up ours. There wasn’t much discussion needed on whether this was the right thing to do. We just knew it was.
One evening, while speaking with her about what she was feeling and what she had recently experienced, these words flashed through my head repeatedly. “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid” (Psalm 118:6). I just kept saying them over and again in my head. The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid. I will not be afraid BECAUSE the Lord is with me. We prayed that she would no longer live in fear. We prayed that she would rely on the Lord for safety and assurance.
Shortly after, I sat down at the piano and just played a chord. I sang the words that resonated so clearly in my head. I will not be afraid. The Lord my God is with me. One chord let to another. It wasn’t long till a melody developed and the following lyrics were written down.
———
I will not be afraid
The Lord my God is with me
He helps me and keeps me away from all harm
He is almighty, I’m safe in His arms
He fights all my battles
The war has been won
Jesus, my Savior
Thank God for His Son
Oh, I will not be afraid
The Lord my God is with me
He speaks to the demons
They bow at His Name
He is all-knowing
With Him there’s no shame
His words draw me nearer
To this Holy Place
No sound is sweeter
Than Amazing Grace
Oh, I will not be afraid
The Lord my God is with me
“The Lord is with me, I will NOT be afraid. What can man do to me?
The Lord is with me, I will NOT be afraid. I look in triumph over my enemies.
The Lord is with me, I will NOT be afraid. Even when I die, I live in thee.
The Lord is with me, I will NOT be afraid. I will sing and shout His victory!”
We will not be afraid.
———
There is so much abuse in this world. There is so much fear. While these words came from comforting a friend experiencing fear, they have been a reminder for me when I’m having moments of fear. It is also my prayer for those that deal with fear in a way I may never comprehend. This is my prayer for Israel and Gaza.
I don’t know what your fear is. I don’t know where your life has taken you. But I DO know we have a God who has done mighty things. I DO know we have a God who triumphs over our enemies.
PRAYER
God, our loving Father, we come to you today to pray for those who are being abused. We pray for those who are living in fear and who feel like they have no one to turn to. Lord, we know you are a God of justice and compassion. We know you hear the cries of the oppressed and you will not stand idly by while your children are suffering. We ask that you would intervene in the lives of those who are being abused. We ask that you would protect them and give them the strength to endure. Lord, we pray for peace and justice in the world. We pray for an end to all forms of violence and abuse. We ask that you would help us create a world where everyone is safe and loved. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
By Kyle Harden
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A Pathway missionary family who has been serving in Israel recently arrived safely in the US. They will be joining us at Pathway this Saturday, November 4. Immediately following the Saturday evening service (around 6:10pm), we will be hosting a focused time of prayer upstairs in the Venue. All are invited to come and unite with us in prayer for the people being impacted by the war in Israel and Gaza.