Six Powerful Prayers That Produce Peace Amidst Pandemic Fear.
Philippians 4:5-7TPT
We live in a fallen world that keeps us fearfully treading from one crisis to the next. It seems like every morning we wake up to a new peril: virus pandemics, new flu strains, Ebola, recessions, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, fires...even the threat of other countries attacking us.
Remember this, In unsettling times, we find our peace in the presence of the Lord. He is the only one who can effectively prevent the contagious epidemic of fear.
Phillipians 4:5-7TPT Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. 6 Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, 7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.
Then there are our own financial, physical, relational, health, and personal crises that often catch us by surprise and strike terror into our hearts. We feel helpless as events spin out of our control.
Fear is a powerful human emotion that can cause us to respond inappropriately or motivate us to take positive action. Or fear has the ability to paralyze us from taking any action. Fear can even stop us from turning to God, our Rescuer, who knows every personal and world disruption we will face.
The Bible, God’s timeless Word, has all the answers and antidotes to keep us calm, cool, and collected.
He assures us in Isaiah 41:10NIV “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
We want to trust God but there are times when peace eludes us. We’re worried and anxious. We don’t want to be brave this time.
Then God reminds us in Joshua 1:9NIV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Listen to P.Hs’ definition of courage. “Courage is reverential fear that prays and calls on God at all times.”
Again—“Be strong and be not afraid!”
Here are five courageous prayers to help us faithfully transcend from panic to peace:
1. Take Your Worries to the Lord
Here’s a prayer I want to speak over you right now: “Lord, ‘I know that Satan created the spirit of fear, anxiety, doubt, and worries to torture and entrap my mind and rob me of my joy, peace, and sleep. When what-ifs wake me in the dark of night, please help me to denounce satan. In Jesus’ name amen.”
Again 1, Take your worries to the Lord!
Remind God, 1 Peter 5:7, God, You say, “My internal-peace is as simple as casting all my anxiety on you because you care for me.”
Listen to this prayer—“Father, I trust that you don’t want me to waste a moment of my life fretting.’ ‘Please calm my racing heart and fill my troubled mind with hope and my spirit with peace.’ ‘Assure me that no weapon formed against me will prosper and you have a plan and a purpose for me in this time of turmoil.' ‘Father, “Show me your ways Lord and grant me the courage to follow where you lead.’ Amen.”
Isaiah 26:3NLT God will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! P.H
Psalm 27:1NKJV The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Jesus spoke right before his crucifixion in John 16:33NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The second (2) courageous prayer to help us faithfully transcend from panic to peace—2 Believe God Hears Your Prayers.
“Lord, if fallout touches any of my church family or loved ones, please comfort them with your healing balm.”
Lamentations 3:57NIV You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”
Proverbs 3:5-6NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Psalm 91:1-2NLT Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
The third (3) courageous prayers to help us faithfully transcend from panic to peace—
Pray with Expectancy and Anticipation
“Please remember that faith can’t coexist in my heart, If I’m doubting or anxious, my shield of faith has slipped.” P.H
You got to say—“God, I know that you’re looking at the big picture.”
James 1:6NIV But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Hebrews 11:1NIV Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Psalm 46:10NIV He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The fourth (4) courageous prayers to help us faithfully transcend from panic to peace—
Remain Wise and Discerning
“Lord, I want desperately to take your Word to heart, but a tsunami of negativity and fear engulf me. ‘My thoughts wander to worst-case scenarios.”
Prayer—I need your insight to diligently untangle truthful facts from embellished hysteria. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in filtering out what I should avoid listening to or considering.
Infuse me Lord with discernment and wisdom. Give me clarity of mind and heart.
Be fruitful— “Guard my mouth that I don’t spread gossip or hearsay to alarm others. Help me to exhibit love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Proverbs 1:5NIV Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.
James 1:5NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Romans 8:5-6NIV Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
The fifth (5) courageous prayers to help us faithfully transcend from panic to peace—
Seek Opportunities to Comfort Others.
You need to realize—We won’t live in a perfect world until we join God in heaven.
“This current situation won’t be the last crisis for the world or for me. I can’t outrun, outpace, outdo, outsmart, or outlive trouble. It has a way of popping up.” P.H
Prayer—“Lord, quiet my raging emotions so that I can be a beacon of healing love and peace to those in my space of influence, allow me to offer peace to those overwhelmed by panic and fear.”
Jesus said in John 14:1NIV Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
These are the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples to comfort them, and they also give me comfort when I don’t know how the story ends.
Use me Lord as your disciple to bring healing to a hurting world. I love you Lord, Amen.
1 John 4:18NKJV There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
The sixth (6) final courageous prayer to help us faithfully transcend from panic to peace—
Pursue Peace.
One thing every professional agree upon, “Remaining a calm demeanor inside and out is the upmost important.” P.H
Press-induced or politically motivated panic will stoke more pandemic fear and consequences than the source of the crisis.
Take recommended and reasonable steps to protect yourself and your loved ones will give you a sense of control that helps to manage uncertainties.
Prudently, continue your normal activities that typically bring you joy.
Healthy coping mechanisms, like exercise, rest, eating properly, reading your Bible, staying connected to friends and family, and listening to praise music can help soothe frazzled nerves.
If you have medical anxiety, contact your doctor.
Philippians 4:8NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Benediction.
