Good Shepherd,
Thank you that you are our Yahweh, our King, robed in power and strength. Your majesty and glory reign over all the earth; your voice thunders in brilliance! Thank you that you are the Good Shepherd and the Gateway for us, your flock. We know that when we listen to you and accept your gifts of grace, we can experience abundant life, freedom, and fullness of joy. In this world there are many times we feel like troubles are overwhelming, our fears suffocate us, our feet slip on what we thought were firm rocks of relationships, livelihoods, and trusts, and then anxiety rises within us. Help us to remember that your presence, your consolation, and your support bring us safety and even joy in the midst of trials. We humble ourselves before you – confessing the times we have not lived life your Way – and asking you to help us cast our anxieties on you and to be alert and sober to the world around us. We pray in the name of Jesus against any spirit of fear that would want to attack us in our physical bodies, mental health, finances, relationships, livelihood, or our future. We claim the protection of your covenant blood over us as we battle the devouring enemy of our souls. Help us, Holy Spirit, to resist that enemy, to stand firm in the faith, and to trust that you will lift us up in due time. We don’t want to live in those fear or anxieties; help us to trust your Perfect Love to fill us up so there is no room for fears. In the strong, powerful, and protecting name of Christ we pray, Amen!
“Look! Yahweh now reigns as King!
He has covered himself with majesty and strength,
wearing them as his splendor-garments.
Regal power surrounds him as he sits securely on his throne.
He’s in charge of it all, the entire world,
and he knows what he’s doing!
Lord, you have reigned as King from the very beginning of time.
Eternity is your home.
Chaos once challenged you.
The raging waves lifted themselves over and over,
high above the ocean’s depths, letting out their mighty roar!
Yet at the sound of your voice they were all stilled by your might.
What a majestic King, filled with power!
Nothing could ever change your royal decrees;
they will last forever!
Holiness is the beauty that fills your house;
you are the one who abides forevermore!” (Psalm 93 TPT)
“The voice of the Lord echoes through the skies and seas. The Glory-God reigns as he thunders in the clouds. So powerful is his voice, so brilliant and bright, how majestic as he thunders over the great waters!” (Psalm 29:3-4 TPT)
“So Jesus went over it again, “I speak to you eternal truth: I am the Gate for the flock. All those who broke in before me are thieves who came to steal, but the sheep never listened to them. I am the Gateway. To enter through me is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction. A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! I am the Good Shepherd who lays down my life as a sacrifice for the sheep.” (John 10:7-11 TPT)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love].” (1 John 4:18 AMP)
“When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:18-19 NIV)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV)