Prayers for when you are afraid

The most repeated command in scripture is "do not be afraid" — God knew how often we would need to hear it. These are the prayers people have reached for in every kind of fear: a hard diagnosis, a child in trouble, a long night, a small dread that won't lift.

Psalm 91

Psalm 91 (KJV, abridged)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;
nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge,
even the most High, thy habitation;
there shall no evil befall thee.

Amen.

Read about Psalm 91

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 (KJV)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.

Amen.

Read about Psalm 23

Psalm 46

Psalm 46 (KJV, abridged)

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear,
though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains
be carried into the midst of the sea.

There is a river,
the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.
God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be moved.

Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Amen.

Read about Psalm 46

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Read about Hail Mary

Psalm 121

Psalm 121 (KJV)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper:
the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:
he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out
and thy coming in
from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Amen.

Read about Psalm 121

Fear shrinks a person. Prayer puts you back into a story that is bigger than the thing you are afraid of.

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