Prayers for when you are afraid

When you are afraid for someone you love

For the parent, the partner, the friend waiting on news that is not theirs.

God, my mind has already been through every version of what could happen to them, and none of it was any use. I cannot be there for all of it. I cannot cover them. You can be where I am not — in the ward, in the car, in the hour I will not know about. Keep them. And keep me steady enough today to be some help to them when I see them. Amen.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Salmo 121:1-2, BSB

Before something you cannot get out of

The surgery, the hearing, the flight, the first day.

Lord, I am about to walk into something I would rather not. I am not asking to feel calm; I am asking to keep going. Be the light in a place I cannot see the end of. Steady my hands. If I shake all the way through it, let me shake and still do it. And whatever I find on the other side, do not leave the room. Amen.

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread?

Salmo 27:1, BSB

When you are afraid of what is coming

For the fear that is about next month rather than today.

God, it is not today that frightens me. It is what today is turning into. You said to a frightened people that the water would not close over them and the fire would not finish them, and that you knew each of them by name. I would like to be spoken to like that. Go ahead of me into the part I cannot see, and be there when I arrive. Amen.

Now this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:1-2, BSB

In the middle of it, when you can barely speak

Short on purpose. Repeat it as many times as you need.

God, help me. You are here. I am not alone. God, help me. Amen.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Salmo 46:1, BSB

When you are afraid of dying

For the middle of the night, and for the days after a diagnosis.

Lord, I am afraid of the end of my life, and I do not know how to talk about it with anyone here. The psalm does not say there is no valley. It says the walk goes through it, and that you are alongside. Walk with me. Let me not waste the time I do have being terrified of the time I do not. And when it comes, let me not be alone. Amen.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Salmo 23:4, BSB

Please read this part too

Prayer is not treatment, and this page is not medical, psychological or pastoral advice. If your fear comes in physical waves you cannot stop, keeps you at home, or follows something that happened to you, a doctor or a therapist can help, and that help is not a lesser option than prayer.

If you are afraid because someone is threatening or hurting you, tell the police or a protection service where you live — a prayer is not a safety plan. If you are thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or crisis line today, and tell one person near you tonight.