A prayer when you struggle to trust God

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and I will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation ”. - Isaiah 12: 2

Sometimes fear and worry get the better of me. For example, in sixth grade, I saw the movie Jaws in vivid colors on the big screen and for a whole year I was unable to enter a swimming pool for fear that Jaws might catch me.

Yes, I realized that my illogical fear was the result of an overactive imagination, but every time I got close to the water, my heart started beating the same.

What helped me overcome my fear of swimming pools was some inner conversation. I reminded myself over and over that there was no way a shark could be in our neighborhood pool, and I would step into the water. When nothing bit him, I reassured myself again and went a little deeper

The worry you might be feeling today probably seems more legitimate than my irrational fears in sixth grade, but perhaps a little Scripture-based inner talk might help. When we struggle to trust God with our worries, Isaiah 12: 2 offers us words to pray to and tell ourselves.

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Sometimes we have to preach to ourselves: "I will trust and I will not be afraid." When our faith feels weak, we can do two things:

1. Confess our fears to the Lord and ask Him to help us trust Him.

2. Turn our attention away from fear and towards God.

Consider what this verse tells us about him:

God is our salvation. I wonder if Isaiah was reminding himself of God's character as he wrote the words, "Behold, God is my salvation." Friend, regardless of the disturbing situation that makes it difficult for you to trust God, He is your salvation. It has your solution and it will set you free.

God is our strength. Ask Him to give you the strength you need to stand firm in His Word and believe what He says in Scripture. Ask Him to pour out the power of His Holy Ghost upon you.

It's our song. Ask God for a spirit of joy and worship so you can praise Him in the midst of your fears and worries. Even when you don't see his answer yet.

Let's start today with an interior dialogue based on the Word of God and pray:

Lord, see the circumstances I face today and know the fear and anxiety I feel. Forgive me for letting worry take over my thoughts.

Express a spirit of faith about me so I can choose to trust you. There is no God like you, terrible in power, who works wonders. I praise you for the loyalty you have shown me so many times in the past.

Lord Jesus, even if I am worried, I will choose to trust you. Help me remind myself today of your great love and power. Help me identify fearful and anxious thoughts and lay them at the foot of your cross. Give me the grace and power I need to meditate on the truths of your Word instead. Also help me say positive words that will inspire others to trust you too.

You are my salvation. You have already saved me from sin and I know that you now have the power to save me from my troubles. Thanks for being with me. I know you have plans to bless me and work for my good.

Lord, you are my strength and my song. Today I will adore you and sing your praises, even if I can't quite understand what you are doing. Thanks for putting a new song in my heart.

In the name of Jesus, Amen