5 Verses to Pray When You are Afraid of the Unknown
It’s hard, isn’t it?
Delving into the unknown. Waiting and wondering.
At the moment, it’s hitting us all. People all over the world are watching and listening … uncertain about what the future will bring.
It’s really no different than usual. It’s just that this time we have a common subject.
But every day, all over the world people are uncertain and afraid of the unknown … questioning:
- the results of a medical test.
- the job layoff.
- the teen whose attitude and behavior changed suddenly.
- the spouse who has become more distant and detached.
- why the person they love began ghosting them.
- how they’ll pay their rent or feed their family.
And at one time, you didn’t even know that someday you might be afraid of a global pandemic.
Paul wrote the following in his second letter to Timothy…
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
And we know it’s true.
Fear of the unknown is not from God!
Because it’s really not unknown.
Jesus said,
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.”
John 16:33b
Those words themselves used to terrify me. I didn’t want to face trials and sorrows. Although, I knew they were “here on earth,” I knew I didn’t want them to touch me.
But they did touch me and that’s when the rest of Jesus’ words became necessary and real for me.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me … but take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33a,c
Jesus has won the victory over our trials and sorrows. He has given us His eternal promises that are absolute and unchanging to give us His peace.
Paul wrote this about the kind of peace Jesus gives.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Other translations call it the peace that:
- reassures the heart.
- is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ.
- will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings.
- transcends comprehension.
- goes beyond anything we can imagine.
- is beyond human understanding.
- is too wonderful to understand.
I want that when I’m afraid of the unknown, don’t you?
Paul told us how … in the verse before the one which says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.“
He wrote:
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6
That gift … is the gift of faith. Paul had just reminded Timothy of the great faith he saw in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. A faith he said … “now lives in you also.”
So, now that we know 1) we want that kind of sincere strong faith and 2) it’s what we need when we are afraid of the unknown—what do we do?
How do you and I get that kind of faith?
I believe we do what Paul told Timothy to do. We “fan into flames the gift of faith God has given us. We pray that He will help us turn to and trust His promises and give us the peace that is too wonderful to understand.
So, I’m praying today … and I’d love for you to pray with me.
5 Verses to Pray When You are Afraid of the Unknown
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27
Jesus, You promised to leave Your followers the gift of peace of mind and heart. You also said that it is a peace the world can never give us. And yet, we foolishly look for our peace in countless things the world offers us. But the truth is … everything the world has to offer, the good and the bad, is temporary.
Lord, please help me focus my heart and mind on the truth of Your Word. I pray Your Spirit will prompt me to bring every unknown fear to You in prayer; and that He will imprint Your forever promises on my soul.
God is our refuge and strength,
Psalm 46:1, 10–11
always ready to help in times of trouble.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
Father, I love this promise. You are my safe place. You are the One who gives me strength when my own is depleted. And when I doubt or wonder how You will give me what I need this time. When I feel this time my fear is too great … You say, Be still and know! Look around. See what I’m doing. See what I’ve done. I am the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Nothing is impossible for Me. Be still and know that I AM God!
Please give me everything I need to rest in You.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7
Lord, guard my heart and mind. I admit that I am worried about __________. I come to You … asking You to meet this need today.
Thank you for all the times You have helped and protected me in the past. Some of which I’m aware and some known only to You.
Please help me to trust Your perfect timing and give me what I need to experience Your peace each day. Fill me with faith, hope, and love as I entrust my cares and concerns to You.
You will keep in perfect peace
Isaiah 26:3
all who trust in You,
all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Perfect peace! I want that Lord. I want to be kept in Your perfect peace. So, I ask You to fill me with Your Spirit. Help me fix my thoughts on You. Help me remember all You have done for me in the past. Help me think about all the times you have given me peace and strength. Help me keep in mind the truth that many of the things I’ve worried about have never happened.
Help me focus on who You are! You are the God who saves me and gives me everything I need. Your grace is sufficient. You are Lord of my life, the One in whom I place my trust today, tomorrow, and forever.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
Romans 8:35,39
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Oh, Father, I love this promise!
Nothing can separate me from Jesus’ love! No trouble. No problem. No crisis. Even if I’m being persecuted, lied about, rejected, or betrayed. When it feels like I don’t have enough or I’m afraid of the unknown. You are always with me.
Nothing in the known or unknown world can stop Your love for me. Isaiah wrote, “This is what the Lord said, ‘From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.'” (Isaiah 43:13) I am Yours forever.
When I am afraid … hold me in the palm of Your hand and remind me that I am always safe when I rest in Your love.
And finally, one more thing I’m praying for you and for me…
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Because whatever He allows, the Lord Himself is able to give us everything we need to live with joy, peace, and hope … fully trusting in His all-sufficient love, grace, and mercy.
May God bless you abundantly as you trust Him with the unknown.
Your words and prayers here, Deb, are exactly what my heart needed to hear today. Yes, troubles will come, and troubles are here, but God is always our ever-present hope, our rock and our salvation.
Blessings, and be safe!
Thank you, Martha! He is indeed our hope and our salvation … by His grace alone! God bless you, my friend!
Amen, Deb! May God’s peace, presence, provision, perspective, promises, and power be so evident in His children during this time that lost are drawn to it. Thank you for the powerful verses and prayers!
That is my prayer, Esther! By His grace and for His glory! Thanks so much for visiting! God bless you!
What a thoughtful and God-honoring post!
There was a time when the old woman would be utterly incapacitated by anxiety; however, thankfully, she is dead and gone, and the new me is closer to Him than ever. I am a single mom, and work has slowed down, so I get extra hours with El Shaddai and my daughter. I’ve discovered I enjoy scripture coloring pages, and we are memorizing Psalm 91.
Thank you for continuing to listen to Him and to write. I believe God is strengthening us, raising up His church. Things will never be what they were, and I praise Him for that!
Thank you, Amy! I am so blessed by your kind encouragement. Enjoy this sweet time with your daughter as you both draw closer to the Lord. It is a blessing to know He is faithful to His promises and will continue to reign over all He has made. God bless you!
Many blessings to you as well!
Exactly what I wanted to hear, my major problem is that even if I hear I don’t see as though God will fulfill His promises, the fear still persists.
Beatrice, I’m glad this blessed you. Although I was a believer in God’s saving grace through Jesus, I lived with fear for many years. It’s a very tough battle. I am praying for you and encourage you to continue to be faithful in prayer. God is at work in and through every situation and He will give you what you need one day at a time. God bless you!
Thank you for reaching out with hope and faith. Reading this has blessed my soul. Thank you!
I’m so glad it blessed you, Becky. Thank you so much for visiting. God bless you!
Thank you so much. I do feel more peace since I read your post then I have for a very very long time! May you pray for us all as I know I will for you! GOD BLESD US ALL
Connie, I’m so glad it blessed you! Thank you so much for stopping by and for taking the time to leave your kind encouragement. God bless you!
Thank you for these encouraging Scriptures and prayers! I am sharing this great blog with my family and friends. Blessings to you Deb!
Thank you so much, Concepción. I am so blessed by your encouragement and appreciate that you shared it with others. Praying you have a beautiful day. God bless you!
I needed this today, thank you somuch
I’m so glad it blessed you with hope. Thanks for visiting, Mary Ann! God be with you!