Prayer Calendar Archive

By Lisa Hall, International Prayer Coordinator

“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved” (Hebrews 10:39).

One essential lesson I’ve learned is that, if I want to live a life pleasing to God, then I must always choose faith rather than fear.

Fear comes in many forms. Throughout time, Christians have faced the reality of persecution and death because of their faith in God. All of Jesus’ apostles and many in the early church were arrested, imprisoned or faced martyrdom for living out their faith in Jesus.

This risk is still a reality today in many parts of the world where our sisters are working with TWR Women of Hope. We must lift them up in prayer regularly so they will have the courage to choose faith and not fear. And we need to join them in living lives in which our hearts are obediently listening to the Spirit – receiving some of that strength along with the guidance and resolve to speak up and live for God in every situation that he places before us.

Humankind has always faced the dilemma of whether to fear the disapproval of other men or to obey God’s commands. I think of King Saul who was given a direct command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. But he was afraid of his soldiers and chose to appease them rather than obey God’s clear instructions. The prophet Samuel rebuked Saul, telling him, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Thankfully, we are also given the example of Queen Esther, who chose faith in God rather than fear. She approached the king without having been summoned, putting her life on the line to save her people.

For many of us, the battle of faith versus fear is not likely to result in death but instead in having to choose between being a faithful witness to God or being accepted by those around us. How often do we remain silent when the Spirit is urging us to speak? When have we refrained from ministering to others out of fear of how they will respond? When we face disapproval from others, or risk loss of status or respect, will we stand for God and his truth? May we remember the truth given to us in God’s Word to help us stand: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1).

What helps me choose faith rather than fear is to embrace the reality that our lives as believers are “in Christ.” We were dead in our sin, but through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, we have been united with him and are raised with Christ to dwell in him. The new life we have is his life in us. He is our life and we can trust him. I don’t have to fear dying – it simply means I will be with him in heaven.

And I do not need to fear man. If I live my life listening to and obeying the Spirit as he leads, then I can be assured that he will give me the words when he leads me to speak with someone. If I am rejected or insulted, I don’t have to take it personally but instead realize that the rebuff is really directed at Jesus.

I think this is why God said that the most important thing we can do is to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. When we place God as our first love, remembering his faithful and sacrificial love for us and fixing our eyes and hearts on him, the Spirit will be faithful to strengthen us with his power to do his will and to hold fast to him.

What paralyzes you with fear and keeps you from walking in peace, joy and hope? May we take our fear captive and give it to God and place our faith in our sovereign Lord, who is always by our side as our immovable anchor.