Day 17: Do Not Fear
40 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Prayer Focus: Courage to Follow God
“Fear not, for I am with you…”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Yesterday our prayer was:
“Jesus, keep my eyes on You.”
Today we confront one of the greatest things that can keep us from following where God leads:
Fear.
Fear asks, What if something goes wrong?
Faith asks, Who is with me?
God's answer throughout Scripture is not always a promise that we will avoid difficult circumstances. His answer is something greater:
“I am with you.”
His Presence Changes Everything
When God called Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, Joshua was stepping into an enormous responsibility.
God repeatedly told him to be strong and courageous. But the foundation of that courage was not Joshua's personality or ability.
It was God's presence:
“…for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 ESV
Biblical courage isn't the absence of fear.
It is choosing obedience because God's presence is greater than our fear.
Fear Cannot Lead
Fear will always give us reasons to stay where we are.
What if I fail?
What if people don't understand?
What if I don't have enough?
What if I make a mistake?
But God has not called fear to lead our lives.
Paul reminds us that God gave us not “a spirit of fear” but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV).
Following God sometimes requires stepping forward while questions remain.
The issue isn't whether we feel completely fearless.
The question is:
Will I trust God enough to obey anyway?
Today's Prayer Focus
Expose My Fear
Show me where fear has been influencing my decisions.
Remind Me You Are Near
Help me become more conscious of Your presence than my circumstances.
Give Me Courage
Strengthen me to obey even when obedience feels uncomfortable.
Increase My Faith
Help me believe that wherever You lead, You will be with me.
Today's Prayer
Father, today I give You my fears.
Forgive me for the times I have allowed fear to become louder than Your promises.
Remind me that I am not walking alone.
Give me courage to follow You even when I cannot see everything ahead. Keep fear from determining my decisions or preventing my obedience.
When I feel afraid, turn my attention back to Your presence.
Lord, because You are with me, I will not be afraid.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Additional Scriptures
Joshua 1:9
2 Timothy 1:7
Psalm 56:3–4
Psalm 23:4
Today's Challenge
Identify one fear that has been influencing you.
Name it before God.
Then pray:
“Lord, You are with me here.”
Instead of rehearsing what could go wrong, remind yourself today of Who goes with you.
Day 16: Jesus, keep my eyes on You.
Day 17: Lord, give me courage to follow You.
