Prayer Guide: Day 16

The Bible says, “Fear not” or “Do not fear” 365 times. I’ve wrestled through this command, thinking, “how does one make themselves not be afraid?” I’ve realized that although we may feel afraid, fear can’t be the deciding factor in whether or not we take action.  Fear shows up in many areas of our lives, and if we aren’t careful, we can bend to it to the point of disobedience and missing out on the life God has called us to, the adventure he has invited us into with him. I don’t know about you, but I want to leave a legacy. I want to look back over my life and see moments of things I got to be a part of that I know couldn’t have been done in my own strength.   

When I think about things I’ve accomplished or gotten to be a part of that are significant in my life, every single one of them began rooted in fear. There’s never been a time God has called me to something new that I have thought, “I got this!” Most of the time, the things God invites us to say “yes” to are way outside of our comfort zone and our ability. They magnify our inadequacies. There have been times in my walk with the Lord that I have felt crippled with fear for what he’s asking of me and yet I’ve walked with him long enough that I’ve experienced his faithfulness to meet me where I am and walk with me through the fear to a place of growth and transformation. I can look back over the years of my life and see markers, times I’ve said “yes” to big things in the midst of fear, and I know if I had waited until fear didn’t exist, my story would have a lot more blank pages that were meant to be filled with God assignments. 

What if, as a church body, all of us, regardless of the fear factor, determine in our hearts and minds to lead with “yes” when given an opportunity for growth or when we’re invited into a new arena of service to the Lord? Fear or the lack thereof doesn’t determine whether or not the calling is from God; instead, it can compel you to depend on him all the more.

Personal Prayer Focus 
Today, let’s lift our fears up to the Lord, asking him for confidence, not in ourselves or our abilities but in his goodness and faithfulness to empower us to walk in obedience regardless of fear. Ask the Lord to show you any areas where fear has compromised your obedience or stunted your spiritual growth and transformation as a Christ Follower. Pray that your desire to live out his plans for you becomes greater than any fear that’s held you back in the past.

West Ridge Prayer Focus 
Over 25 years ago, West Ridge Church was started to be a place where people could grow to become fully devoted followers of Christ; where people could belong as they developed a love for God, grew in their faith, learned to serve in their unique spiritual gifting, and felt a personal responsibility to share Jesus with whoever would listen. So as we pray together for our church, let’s ask God to continue to shape us into a place for hurting people, where every person knows they belong and are given an opportunity to continue to become a devoted follower of Jesus!