In the midst of riots, looting, racism, economic unrest, and world-wide pandemic, one word keeps rising to the top: FEAR.

How do we handle the uncertain times we’re facing?

Who do we run to for help and certainity?

What do we do amid trial, transition, and inevitable change?

How do we navigate these looming issues?

We all have different reactions to fear. Some run away from it. Some charge forward. Others reinterpret it. And others deny it. Whatever way fear has manifested in your life this season, taking the time to process fear in prayerful conversation with God can forever change how you navigate this powerful human experience.

As part of Soul-Care, Keri and I often develop individualized and general prompts for prayer to encourage our clients/directees to bring their hearts, their inner-most-thoughts, their personal process to the Lord in prayerful conversation. Conversation with God is where fears can be spoken and transformation can occur.

For some, this is liberating, for they finally feel the permission to share more deeply with God, while for others, this is intimidating as they tread-softly on holy ground. Either way, Psalm 139 affirms that God already knows our innermost thoughts. He has examined us thoroughly. And, no matter how hard we may try, there is no part of our being hidden from Him:

When we enter into a restored relationship with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God actually invites us into His throne room as beloved children (Heb. 4:11-16 & 10:19-22). We can say and speak as we need and receive relational interaction from God as well.

In order to develop this deepening relationship with God, we’re offering the below prayer prompt on PROCESSING FEAR:

Processing Fear

Often the very circumstances of our lives, the literal thoughts and emotions, are the best context in which God can work, move, heal, lead, speak and be present with you. As you explore these circumstances and peel the layers of your heart, your awareness of God’s work becomes clearer.

We recommend at least 5 minutes to sit/think/pray through each set of questions below, but follow His prompting, as you may feel led to linger. Any range of reactions present the perfect beginning for conversation with God. And for some, a good starting point may even be to talk to Him about what is arising in your thoughts/emotions as you simply sit with Him in the questions, let alone begin to dialogue with Him.

So, we invite you to acknowledge/name any expectations of what this time “should” be like, or how you would like it to be. Naming will help prevent them from having a voice of judgment over you. Then, let them go.

Now as you begin, seek to open yourself to any thoughts or reactions that arise, and then be willing to explore them with God, entering into whatever God has for you. If you’re stuck, you can talk to Him about what you’re thinking or feeling as you sit with Him in the questions. Step into interactive dialogue, which includes making space to listen. The goal is not to “finish,” but to connect.

Scripture

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

“There is no fear in love, because perfect love (complete love) expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love (complete love).” –  1 John 4:18

Time Frame

Begin by praying with God and asking Him to highlight which questions below that He’s inviting you to bring before Him in conversation (this may be one question or all of them).

Begin

1.     Talk Honestly with God about the topic of Fear: 

“God, this is one area of fear that I am currently experiencing: ___________________.  I can tell it is fear because I keep thinking: __________________ and because I feel: ___________________.”

“I want to learn what You think about my fear. What could it look like to talk with You about these things? What would it be like to share my fear with You?”

 

2.     Choose one area of fear. And begin a conversation with God: 

“God, I want to explore this fear with You. What is beneath the surface of this fear? What is going on inside my fear?” Hold your fear before the Lord in prayerful listening.

Ask God, “God, help me unpack this. Where is this fear coming from in me? Is there anything out of alignment in my relationship with You?

Is there something from the past I’ve needed to talk with You about? Is there something in my present that is clouding my vision and keeping me from clarity with You? What is going on in my heart, God, please help me to see.” 

Sit with God for a few minutes and ask His Spirit to lead you.

 

3.     Exploring fear of the unknown: 

“God, when have I faced uncertainty in the past? What has that been like? Lonely? Scary? Exciting? Vulnerable?”

“Who have I turned to in those times? What was a strength to me during that season? What was a weakness during that time? What was it like to experience fear then? What was I afraid of? Where did I turn for comfort?”

3a.      Choose a current issue regarding fear of the unknown. 

“God, how did fear affect our relationship during that season? What was the result of wrestling with this fear? What did I learn about You and/or how did I see You in that season?” 

Talk honestly with God about how the situation played out. Ask Him for His perspective on that season of your life.

“God, what do You think about the unknown? What would it look like to experience Your love in the middle of this? How can I walk closer with You in the next unknown season?”

 

4.     Exploring fear of failure: 

“God, how often do I experience anxiety around failing You? Others? Myself? How would I know if I failed myself? Others? How would I know if I failed You?”

“How do You measure failure? How do you respond to failure? How do you view my past failures? How about my current potential failures?”

“What do You think of me when I fail? What do You think of me when I’m afraid of failure?” 

4a.      Choose a current issue regarding fear of failure. 

“How do I know if I failed (or succeeded)? What would happen if I failed?”

“How does my fear of failure effect (help, hinder, etc.) my ability to engage in this issue? How does my fear of failure affect (help, hinder, etc.) my relationship with You while engaging in this given issue?”

“What would it look like to engage this issue with You by my side? How would this effect my fear of failure? How does this effect our relationship together?”

“What would it look like to experience Your love in the middle of this? How would this effect my current circumstances?” 

 

5.     Exploring God’s love amidst fear: 

“God, what does it mean that Your perfect love casts out fear? How can Your love affect my tendency to fear?”

“When have I experienced Your love in the past? How did that affect my heart? What was going through my mind? How did that effect what I felt afraid of? What was it like to experience Your love in that moment/season?”

“What about this fear keeps me from experiencing Your love? What would You have to do to convince my heart that Your love is stronger than my fear?”

“What would it look like to be reassured of Your perfect love in the middle of this?”

“How might Your love effect the things I’m afraid of now? How might it effect the results of this fearful situation? How might it affect our relationship as I walk through this?

“What would it look for me to abide in your love throughout this season?”

 

 

End Prayer: 

“God, I bring my fear to You. When I am afraid, I feel _________________.

I know in Your word You promise to be ________________. And that Your love casts out all fear.

I would love for You to be _______________ to me and I want to be _______________ to You. 

Would You show me more of Yourself and keep my heart close to You?

Thank You for sending Jesus to make that possible in my life.

I lean-in to You, my God. Amen”