Almighty God, Maker of all that is, thank You, Father, for life as well as new life in Christ. Because of Jesus, we have assurance of Your irrevocable, steadfast love and forgiveness. Nothing is beyond You. You know all, see all and have full power over all. In spite of what _________________ is facing in this current season, You have been faithful and we can trust You are ever mindful. You understand our frail bodies. You understand our fears. You have compassion on us and know how we are formed, remembering we are dust. (Psalm 103:14)
Isaiah 55:8,9 confirms that Your creative mind is way beyond ours but perhaps being made in Your image partly is about having choices and the capacity to create and invent. You made us different than the animals because You gave us a spirit to seek You and the ability to to think, dream and imagine. Imagination is a gift for sure. But sometimes it doesn’t seem like a gift when it can whip us into a frenzy of fear and dread. Help __________________ to live in the now and not miss the small blessings of today by worrying about tomorrow. Jesus, You said we can’t add a single hour to our lives by worrying. (Matthew 6:27) In fact, I believe we lose hours instead.
Please rein in _________________’s thoughts when these times come. Speak peace over the wind and waves of his/her stormy imagination. (Luke 8:24) Assure him/her that You are not disappointed or think less of us when we are afraid. You know all things and, therefore, don’t have unmet expectations. Disappointment is a human emotion, not one You have. So many times in Your Word, we read, “Don’t be afraid!” and that must be because You know we have reason to be fearful. Often times our heroes of the faith did things while afraid; that’s what courage is. So I pray You will please ENCOURAGE _______________. Jesus, You told the disciples “Take courage, it is I!” so please impart Your courage into him/her that faith would rise and fear would flee. (Matthew 14:27)
Thank You God for the good reports and please make ______________ brave in the face of any unfavorable reports. The reality is that there is plenty to be afraid about. We hate pain. We dread suffering. We hate losing control and we fear losing our thinking minds. We even fear being afraid. So, You come and take authority over all worrisome, anxious thoughts. Speak life and hope and assurance that You are here and now and care deeply about all we experience. You despise pain and suffering and death! In fact, Your last enemy to destroy will be death itself!
Thank You, Father, for Your love and comfort. You are generous to pour out unexplainable peace that passes human understanding. (Philippians 4:7) Surround him/her with the Armor of Light, deflecting all the enemy’s “fear grenades.” (Romans 13:12) Rebuke the lies that he whispers in our ears. Speak words of faith instead. I pray that in the dark of night when the mind wants to play out the worst possible scenarios, that You would sing lullabies over Your beloved and cause deep and satisfying sleep. (Zephaniah 3:17 and Psalm 4:8)
Finally, Lord, thank You for the truth that LOVE > FEAR. Thank You for the love of friends and family that surround ____________ in person but also in prayer. Our love for You, Jesus, also fuels trust and hope and peace. Hallelujah that Your perfect love drives out fear! (1 John 4:18). Clinging to this truth, living one day at a time, this we know today: “Because Your love is greater than life, our lips will praise You!” (Psalm 63:3)
In the strong Name of Jesus! Amen.
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