This blog post is taken from a set of prayers and declarations I wrote in January of 2021. These prayers and declarations are based on scriptures that urge God’s children to have a peaceful heart and reject anxiety. I have not counted them, but I’ve read that the words “do not fear,” “do not be afraid,” or “fear not” occur 365 times in the Bible. That is one admonition not to fear for each day of the year.
In January of 2021, the whole world was ablaze with a pandemic, lock downs, mandates, lots of censorship and destruction of the economy. It was hard to know what was really going on. If a person was ever tempted to be fearful, this would have been the occasion.
It’s been over two years and things in the world, from what can be seen with the natural eye, have not improved. But these scriptures continue to cheer and encourage me. They give me something solid. They give me instructions. They give me something to do. I encourage you to read over, meditate, pray, and declare these verses for you and your loved ones.
Proverbs 4:23 (RSV)
Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the springs of life.
“Lord, I understand You have given me stewardship over my heart. Holy Spirit, help me guard my heart diligently.”
Psalms 1:1-2 (AMPC)
1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.
“Father, thank you for this very specific instruction. Help me to pay attention to what I am seeing and hearing and completely dismiss ungodly, sinful, and scoffing ideas, thoughts, and words. Thank you for leading me back to thoughts of You and Your Word whenever I drift away.”
Psalm 131:1-2 (TPT)
1 Lord, my heart is meek before you. I don’t consider myself better than others. I’m content to not pursue matters that are over my head—such as your complex mysteries and wonders—that I’m not yet ready to understand. 2 I am humbled and quieted in your presence. Like a contented child who rests on its mother’s lap, I’m your resting child and my soul is content in you.
“Heavenly Father, I KNOW You are doing a great and mighty work of salvation in the United States of America, other nations in the world, and in Your church. I know there are depths and intricacies of Your plans that I cannot grasp. Help me to wait patiently for Your deliverance for it will surely come.”
Psalms 94: 12, 13, 19 (NLT)
12 Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions. 13 You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked. 19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
“Father, I thank You that you are a just God and will not allow the wicked to go unpunished. Thank you for the peace that fills my heart when I meditate on You.”
John 14:27 (AMPC)
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
“Jesus, I do not take the Words You spoke here as a suggestion or just good advice. I receive this as a command that I can and must obey. In Your mighty Name, I will not permit myself to be fearful, intimidated, cowardly or unsettled by anything satan and wicked people are doing in the earth right now. I choose peace and confidence in You and Your faithfulness to Your promises.”
John 16:33 (AMPC)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
“Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I believe it! You have deprived this world and all the wicked influences in this world the power to harm me, my loved ones, my neighbors, my fellow Americans, and Christians around the world. And this is the victory that overcomes, my faith in You!”
Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
“Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me keep my mind stayed and fixed on my great and wonderful God and Father.”
Philippians 4:6-8 (NASB)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things
“Again, Lord, I thank You for such specific instructions on guarding and keeping my heart. I will dwell, think, and abide in You because You are true, You are honorable, You are right, You are pure, You are lovely (very, very lovely), You are of good repute, You are excellent, and You are supremely worthy of my praise.”
Psalm 37: 1, 7, 8, (KJV)
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
“Wow, Lord, I am seeing a pattern here. I totally reject fretting and fretfulness. I will rest and wait patiently for You and for Your Word to be established in my life and in the nation.”
Psalm 150 (NLT)
1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! 2 Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! 3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp! 4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! 5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!
“Father, cause me to respond to every threat or message of doom or danger with praise unto You. Strengthen me to praise you at the top of my lungs. Put the new song, the song of praise, in my mouth. I love Lord, and I trust you.”