Praying the Word: When You Fear the “What-ifs”
On the surface, prayer seems simple. It’s talking to God. But in practice, we may have a lot of questions. Am I doing this right? Is there a “right” way to do it? What am I supposed to say? Are there things I shouldn’t pray about? Or maybe we feel pretty comfortable with praying, but we struggle with getting bored or losing focus.
Whatever our struggles with prayer, Scripture can be helpful. As Donald Whitney explains, “Praying the Bible isn’t complicated. Read through a few verses of Scripture, pause at the end of each phrase or verse, and pray about what the words suggest to you.” (You can read more from Donald Whitney about how to pray Scripture, in this article.)
In the Praying the Word series, we’ll take the idea of praying Scripture and make it practical by sharing a passage of Scripture, an example prayer, and some guided questions to help you make it your own. The example prayer might serve as a model, or you can use it as a prayer for yourself. As you give this a try, don’t worry if it feels awkward or you’re not sure what to say. Remember, the power of prayer doesn’t come from the words we say, but from the One who hears them.
Example Scripture
Psalm 131
[1] O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
[2] But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
[3] O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.
Example Prayer
Father, I worry about the “what-ifs” of my child’s health, growth, successes, failures, and salvation. But I give these things to you and leave them in your hands where they belong. When I occupy myself with these worries, I live in fear.
I fear what may come tomorrow, or next week, or next year. I fear what may never come. Please give me grace and peace for today, that I would not fear tomorrow. As a weaned child can rest with its mother knowing that she will still provide for its needs, help me to calmly rest in your goodness and know that you will do good to me.
Forgive me for putting my hope in temporary things, for nursing my fears with internet searches, statistics, and imagined scenarios. Forgive me for dwelling on worrisome thoughts about tomorrow and being held captive by them, instead of taking them captive to obey Christ when he said, “Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will have enough troubles of its own.”
Though I fear the “what ifs” and the unknowns, I praise you that you have all wisdom and knowledge. All of the days ordained for my child are written in your book. You are sovereign over all things—the big, life-changing things and the small, everyday things.
In your kindness and love, you have revealed yourself to me, even though your specific plans for my life and the lives of my children remain hidden. Though I don’t know all that lies ahead, you have allowed me to know you. I pray that my child would know you too.
When I’m tempted to believe lies, when I’m tempted to dwell on my fears, when I’m tempted to occupy myself with things I can’t control, please comfort and protect me with the truth. Remind me that you will never leave or forsake me.
God, you are my hope both now and forevermore. You are my hope in the midst of the hard things I face now, and you will still be my hope even if all of the “what ifs” become reality. Give me the grace to trust you more.
Make it Your Own
Praise God: What things in this Scripture passage give you reasons to praise God and thank him for who he is and what he’s doing? Give him both general and specific thanksgiving and come into his presence rejoicing.
Confess: What things do you need to tell God about how your heart or actions might veer (intentionally or unintentionally) toward self-reliance or even disobedience? Where have you trusted in your own wisdom or resisted his presence, commands, and care?
Share your Heart: What things do you need to tell the Lord from a place of concern and humility? What questions linger, what worries do you harbor, and what do you need to hand over to him?
Ask: Where do you need wisdom? What help and grace do you need? Let the Lord know where you are weak and what specific things you need, letting him have the final and perfect say in how those needs are met and prayers are answered.
