A Good Prayer to Say When You’re Scared

Whenever we are scared or fearful, coming to God in prayer is one of the best responses we could have. That is because God is our refuge and fortress when we are scared. Psalm 46:1-3 tells us that if God is our refuge, strength, and help in times of trouble, we will not fear. That is precisely why God is our refuge, the One whom we run to and pray to when we are scared.

Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and fortress, the One whom I can lean on and run to when I feel scared. Your presence gives me peace and comfort in times of trouble. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What Is a Good Prayer to Say When You Are Scared?

A good prayer to say whenever you feel scared is rooted in the Scriptures—take refuge in God. Why is it important for prayer whenever you feel scared to be rooted in the Scriptures? It is important because whenever we feel scared, we should run to God and take refuge in Him through our prayers. We run and take refuge in Him because we know who He is, and we can only know through the Scriptures. That is why in (Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.), it is written that God’s Word is the lamp to our feet and the guide to our path. If along the path we feel scared at some point, God’s Word points us to who He is, allowing us to proceed with our path without fear since we know who our God is.

That also goes to show that whenever we pray, if we feel scared, the prayer is more about remembering and confessing what the Scripture says. For example, let’s say you are scared of whatever the future may be and the uncertainties it holds. You can remember and confess Romans 8:28 and (Ephesians 1:11  In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,) in your prayer, which goes like this:

Heavenly Father, I am scared of the uncertainties that the future holds. However, in You, I do not need to fear because You are the One who works all things according to the counsel of Your will, and no matter what the future holds, I know that everything works together for the good of those who love You and those that You have called according to Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

As you have observed in the prayer above, to address the feeling of being scared of the uncertain future, we remembered and confessed (Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.) and Ephesians 1:11, which addresses the fear of the future. The same principle applies to other scenarios during which a person is feeling scared. For example, being scared of journeying through life alone is addressed by Psalm 23, which tells us that the LORD is our shepherd who is with us even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Deuteronomy 31:8 also tells us that God goes before us and that He never leaves us or forsakes us.

How to Pray a Good Prayer When You Are Scared?

You can take note of the principle above. A good prayer when feeling scared is one where you remember and confess Scripture in your prayer, and that will address the feeling of fear or being scared. Also, in order to pray a good prayer whenever you feel scared, look up what the Scripture says regarding what you are feeling scared about. Turn to your heavenly Father, and allow his Word to soothe your heart. The Scripture will surely tell you why there is nothing to fear and guide you on how to pray when you are scared.

Above, we have given examples like Romans 8:28 and Ephesians 1:11 for when you feel scared of the future. Psalm 23 and (Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”) can help you when you feel scared of journeying life alone. There are many different fears that can frighten us. For example, the fear of whether we will have the provision we need to get by. But, concerning that, the Bible says in Psalm 34:10 that those who seek God lack no good thing and will have whatever they need. If we feel scared that God does not understand our fears, Psalm 139:1-6 tells us that God knows it even before a word is on our tongue. Therefore, we can rest assured that He understands us. The point is that whatever makes us feel scared, the Bible has truths that address whatever fear.

As we remember and confess the Scriptures whenever we feel scared, we remember and confess who God is. In times of fear, we magnify who God is over our situation or the things we fear. That is why the Psalms are full of people crying out to God with verses praising and worshiping Him. Ultimately, what should be magnified is not our fears (not invalidating them) but who God is.