This world can be a scary place. It’s often easy to say, “We trust God.” Yet these very words can be hard to actually live out. When we truly find rest and hope in Him alone, nothing has the power to shake us, not even the enemy’s lies. We stand on firm ground, safe territory. We’re protected, surrounded, and held secure. But it’s a choice we must make every day, to “dwell” in that safe place.
From the moment our feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan will work hard to do all that he can to distract, overwhelm, and frustrate us, stirring up worry or strife. Often his ways are subtle, other times they're more clear. But it’s what he does best. Stealing. Killing. Destroying.
When the enemy’s lies seem to get louder and stronger, it’s often hard to hear the truth. God’s voice can get lost in the pressing worries and defeating thoughts that rise up strong. But we have a choice in who we listen to.
Don’t let the enemy win. Say “no” to his lies and taunting fears. Recognize who is at the root of it all. Push past his lies; step over his traps. Choose to press in close to the God who loves you far more than you could ever imagine. Read His powerful words that breathe peace over your mind and power into your Spirit.
For He is the One who sets us free. He is the One who helps us to live victoriously, over the enemy’s schemes.
God gives us the power through His Holy Spirit to live free from the entanglement of deception. He gives wisdom and discernment to make the right choices. He gives joy and peace deep inside; and the assurance, that no matter what we face, He is with us.
5 Prayers of Strength: Listening for God’s Voice Over Satan’s Lies:
1. A Prayer for Strength When You Feel Alone
When the future feels uncertain and worry keeps occupying too much room in our minds, in our hearts, God gives us the promise that He remains secure. He alone is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. So we don’t have to wrestle with fear-filled thoughts and be weighed down by overwhelming pressure and stress.
Spiritual warfare is not giving the devil more attention or focusing too much on his evil ways. Biblical warfare is making ourselves more attentive to what God is doing and remembering to stand firm and let Him fight our fiercest battles. There’s power through His Spirit, His Word, and in prayer, and we can be confident that He is always with us, leading our way and covering us from behind.
Lies: You’re all alone. You’re not good enough. You can’t face this day. You’re just a failure.
God’s Truth: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10
Dear God,
At the start of each day, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you and notice how you're at work through our lives. Give us wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we're up against. We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and minds in you. We ask for your grace to cover our lives this day. We love you Lord...we need you.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
2. A Prayer for Strength When You’re Fearful
No matter what we face, He hasn’t lost control. It may seem as if life is too chaotic and uncertain, but God remains steadfast, immovable, and strong. He doesn’t change based on our circumstances or popular opinion. Nothing takes Him unaware. And He can turn around for good whatever hard times we walk through in this life.
We can confidently trust that the Lord will take every trial or season of brokenness that has caused worry and havoc in our lives, and use it to bring great blessing, deeper perseverance, and glory to Himself instead. He is fully able to show Himself strong on our behalf, as we allow Him to do what only He can do. What seems impossible to us, is possible for our mighty God. For He can accomplish far more than we could ever think or imagine.
Lies: You’ll never be able to get over your fears and worries. You have no one to rely on. You’re just too broken.
God’s Truth: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1
Dear God,
Thank you for your promise that you are our refuge and strength in times of trouble. Thank you for your powerful presence with us, no matter what we face today. We believe that you go before us, are with us every step of this journey, and that you cover us from behind. Forgive us for the times we’ve worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independent of your Spirit. Forgive us for allowing fear and anxiety to control our minds and decisions. We ask you to provide for our needs, even when we can’t see a way out of our current situation. We pray that you would cover us with your huge favor and grace. Thank you, Father God, that you see the big picture, and you are at work mightily on our behalf, even behind the scenes where we can’t fully see. We know that you will never waste our pain, and you are working all things out for good and for blessing up ahead. We trust you fully, our hope is in you alone.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
3. A Prayer for When You Fear Something Bad Will Happen to You or Your Loved Ones
One of the biggest fears many of us may find ourselves battling is that something bad will happen to our loved ones. Reality is, we can’t always be with them, nor can we protect them from all harm that may come their way. But we can find great power through prayer and God’s word. They are weapons of warfare over the darkness, and God is faithful to work on behalf of His children. He is with us, and our loved ones, always. And He is a Mighty God.
We can trust His protection and care to constantly surround our lives, and those we love. He never promises us this life will be easy. In fact, His word even says that we may face difficult battles. But He also reminds us over and over that He will be near us in it all. And we know He will hold us secure.
Lies: You can’t trust anyone. God doesn’t care about you. Bad things are going to happen.
God’s Truth: “For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” - Psalm 91:11
Dear God,
Thank you for your presence with us, thank you for your Almighty Shadow. We praise you for your protection and care over our lives, and over our loved ones. You surround us as a shield, even when we’re not aware. Thank you that you go before us and cover us from behind; that you are in our midst, and our future is secure in the place you’re preparing for us.
Your words bring such hope and comfort in the times we’ve struggled with fear and anxious thoughts. Remind us again of your great strength today. May we see glimpses of your glory and blessing as we follow after you. May we continually reflect your light, peace, and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing, for victory and salvation are found in you alone.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
4. A Prayer for Strength When the Same Struggles Keep Knocking You Down
Some days are particularly hard. Attacks get hurled our way that we didn’t even see coming. The enemy loves to stir up strife and division, he does his best to heap on insults and kicks us when we’re down. But be assured, whenever you are afflicted, attacked, ridiculed, or abused, God takes notice. He rises up strong on your behalf. For you are His precious child. As believers, we can know, God Himself has the final say over our lives. Not the accuser.
Know that He is close, He sees your pain and is aware of every attack. And He is building greatness and deep perseverance from within. Shake it off my friend. Every last bitter, cruel word and fiery dart. Take it to the One who sets you free from the strongholds of darkness, from sin and shame. Leave it at the feet of the One who covers you with His favor and blessing so that your strength is renewed day by day. Listen to His whisper today down deep in your soul. He is with you. You are greatly loved. Be still, He fights for you today.
Lies: You are unloved and rejected. You will never overcome these battles and struggles. You might as well give up.
God’s Truth: "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD.” - Isaiah 54:17
Dear God,
We thank you for the power of your word and your presence over our lives. We thank you that no weapon formed against us will prosper, for greater are you who is in us, than he who is in the world. We pray that you will cast down every threat and accusation, every abusive word and cruel attack hurled our way. We praise you that nothing is impossible with you, that you are loving and gracious, full of mercy and might. We trust in you alone, to rise up strong on our behalf. Thank you that you are our defender and strong tower, our refuge and our strength. Thank you that you fight for us today, and in our weakness, you make us strong.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
5. A Prayer to Take Up the Armor of God against Our Enemy
God has a plan for our lives. The enemy has a plan for us too. We just have to decide which voice we’re going to listen to, and who we're going to choose to follow each day. And chances are, if we don't make a determined choice to follow God, we may eventually fall into the evil one’s trap.
God reminds us not to go into the day without being prepared and equipped for battle. He tells us to take up his full armor in order to stand against the enemy’s schemes. Each piece has a specific purpose and is designed for our protection and covering. Just as a soldier would not go to battle unprepared, we also should be fully ready for the attacks we will face.
Lies: You don’t need any help from anyone else. That would just show how weak you are. Just look out for yourself. There’s no such thing as “spiritual battles.” Don’t believe in fairy tales.
God’s Truth: “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” - Ephesians 6:11-17
Dear God,
We choose today to put on the full armor, guarding our lives against the enemy’s attack. We ask for your help in remembering how important this is, for you give us all that we need to stand firm in this world. Thank you for the power of your word and Spirit that lives within us. Forgive us Lord, for the times we’ve been unprepared, too busy to care; trying to fight and wrestle in our own strength.
Thank you that we never fight alone, for you are constantly at work on our behalf: shielding, protecting, strengthening, exposing deeds of darkness, bringing to light what needs to be known, covering us from the cruel attacks we face even when we’re unaware.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's Facebook page, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also on Twitter and at her blog www.debbiemcdaniel.com.
Originally published Thursday, 21 November 2019.
