Today, I am delighted to welcome my wise friend, Janine, to encourage us as we pray: Lord, help me claim Your promises today.

When my son started middle school, his happy confident self changed. And I started to fear the worst. When I asked him what was going on, he wouldn’t say much, but he would allude to it being a problem with the other boys. He made reference a few times to language and what they talk about and look at. Fear immediately gripped my heart. My baby was being exposed to things and having to make some difficult decisions that could alter so much of his future. Now I know we’ve taught him the truth of God’s Word, but this mama’s heart was struggling to trust that my 12 year old boy could manage.

As youth leaders at our church, my husband and I have seen too many times kids that know the truth drift down a dangerous path that has huge repercussions. I also know that God redeems. But my mama heart struggled and began to spiral out of control with worry.  I was gripped with fear. My heart began to race and breath quickened, and the thoughts running through my head were spiraling into consuming horrible thoughts.

Have you been there? I know firsthand how easily anxiety can alter our trust in God. We can be strongly anchored in God, but then a worst-case scenario happens, and the rug is pulled out from under us. For some, it’s a horrible medical diagnosis. For others, the death of a loved one. Or maybe it’s the state of our country and world.

Thankfully, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit to help us. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us (Romans 8:11, NLT). And when the fears for my children fight for control of my heart and mind, fortunately the Holy Spirit is ready for the battle. He reminds me to claim God’s promises and replace the worst-case scenarios playing in my head with truths from God’s Word.

I begin with truths from Philippians 4:6-7: “Lord, I am scared. The thoughts and fears are taking over and I need Your peace. You say that if I come to You with a grateful heart that Your peace will guard my heart and mind in Jesus and so I’m claiming that right now, Lord. I am claiming Your promise of peace as I come to You with my anxious heart. Replace the thoughts with Your truth Lord.”

And then I think through more promises of God and pray those as well. Here are a few of my go-tos:

God is with me—and my kiddos. 

•  So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord Your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you…Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8)

God is bigger than anything my mind can come up with. He is the Creator after all.

• “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for You!” (Jeremiah 32:17)

God gives us strength so we can endure.

• But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Tribulation will come, but Jesus already overcame it. 

• “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

God cares about the sparrows, and He cares about my kiddos. 

• “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (Matthew 6:25-26)

The Holy Spirit is with me—and my son—and He is working.

• “Now all glory to God, Who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

When my son was going through those hard first months of middle school, my first instinct was to protect him, but remembering these promises reminds me that God is doing something in my son. He’s working in his life just as he is working in mine. I am reminded to trust the Holy Spirit is working and cares about my son.

So I pray through these promises. I claim them. I say “Lord, You promised this, so I’m counting on You to show up. Make yourself evident in our lives.” Sometimes I pray through just one promise, and the anxiety dissipates. Sometimes however, it takes a bit longer. But the peace of God always comes. He has never failed me yet.

And it’s important to pray with thanksgiving as Paul reminds us, so I add: “Lord, I am grateful for my son. I am grateful for the opportunities You have given us. I am grateful even for this hardship because You will grow us both through this. We will know You more intimately because we have gone through this. Thank You for being with us every step of the way.”

I pray this same way when I hit turbulence on the airplane or when a panic attack comes while I’m a passenger in a vehicle. You can pray God’s promises in every situation and peace will come.

What are your fears? What thoughts are spiraling you away from God rather than toward Him? Write them down. Now, what are promises of God that you can claim today? Write those down and pray them back to God. And the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Lord, help us claim Your promises today.

Janine Lansing is a speaker and author of The Joy Filled Soul. She is passionate about helping women experience Jesus in their everyday as she encourages them to live in the Spirit, linger with Jesus, and love God’s Word. Check out her website for access to free phone lock screens to help you memorize and meditate on God’s Word. For tips to linger with Jesus, including prayer and memorization tips and, follow her on Instagram.

The Pray Big Sisterhood

Every morning, I wake up and lift my heart to God in prayer.

I praise Him for His glory and goodness.

I surrender my agenda and expectations to His greater kingdom purposes.

I yield my desires to do His will.

And, then I ask for Him to move a mountain.

I cry out to Him for that mountain to crumble.

I believe that God is bigger than any obstacle or stronghold.

Yet, my mountain remains — immovable and unyielding.

Do you have a mountain?   I bet you do.

Like me, you may be discouraged by the darkness that looms large in your view.

You aren’t alone. If we sat down today in my kitchen and shared our stories, I bet we would see similarities.

Together, we would ask God to move two mountains.

With worshipful hearts, let’s keep crying out to the Lord for those mountains to crumble.

Let’s pray big!

To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.  

 If you are visiting from Janine’s today,

welcome to my little space on the web!

Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you

• • LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
  • PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
  • HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
  • STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.

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Challenge:

Every day this week, start your day with this one-sentence prayer: Lord, help me claim your promises today.

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