February 1, 2022
Pray Against Fear
Lord’s Prayer Focus: The Father’s Guidance
Jesus taught us that in our prayers we should seek God’s guidance away from temptation. In the final sentence of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prays: “And lead us not into temptation…” (Matthew 6:13a). Jesus shows us that we should be praying for God’s guidance. Guidance isn’t just limited to our next car, a new job, or what to study. We should pray for God to guide us away from and through temptation. The passages in this section show us specific ways to pray for God’s guidance and out of temptation.
Matt 10:24-31 (ESV) — “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.”
“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10 records Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples to go out in twos to spread the Gospel. As he is sending them out, he gives some words of instruction. He warns that as they proclaim the Good News, they will face persecution, just as he was opposed. Despite the opposition Jesus taught them not to fear man, but to fear God instead. While humans may threaten with pain and death, God has the power of life and death as well as eternity in his hands.
Some fears are irrational. Others however, like the fear of rejection when witnessing are founded in reality. People who reject God often reject the messenger as well. Real relationships are damaged and split over the Gospel. To pretend otherwise is naive. However, God calls us to fear and trust him more than our friends, coworkers, and family. Not only does he hold infinitely more power than any person in your life, he also cares deeply for you in a way no one else can. If God cares about even how many hairs we have on our head, how much more should we trust that he will guide and protect us when we act in faith?
Consider:
Prayer Points:
Lord’s Prayer Focus: The Father’s Guidance
Jesus taught us that in our prayers we should seek God’s guidance away from temptation. In the final sentence of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prays: “And lead us not into temptation…” (Matthew 6:13a). Jesus shows us that we should be praying for God’s guidance. Guidance isn’t just limited to our next car, a new job, or what to study. We should pray for God to guide us away from and through temptation. The passages in this section show us specific ways to pray for God’s guidance and out of temptation.
Matt 10:24-31 (ESV) — “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.”
“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10 records Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples to go out in twos to spread the Gospel. As he is sending them out, he gives some words of instruction. He warns that as they proclaim the Good News, they will face persecution, just as he was opposed. Despite the opposition Jesus taught them not to fear man, but to fear God instead. While humans may threaten with pain and death, God has the power of life and death as well as eternity in his hands.
Some fears are irrational. Others however, like the fear of rejection when witnessing are founded in reality. People who reject God often reject the messenger as well. Real relationships are damaged and split over the Gospel. To pretend otherwise is naive. However, God calls us to fear and trust him more than our friends, coworkers, and family. Not only does he hold infinitely more power than any person in your life, he also cares deeply for you in a way no one else can. If God cares about even how many hairs we have on our head, how much more should we trust that he will guide and protect us when we act in faith?
Consider:
- Who are you most afraid to witness to?
- When you are tempted to fear, what does it reveal about your priorities and beliefs?
Prayer Points:
- Pray against the temptation to fear when sharing the Gospel.
- Pray that you would be obedient even in the face of persecution.
Posted in 2022 Prayer and Fasting