The following is an excerpt from our devotional series Desperate for Change.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” –Deuteronomy 31:6

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One of the marks of the end of the age is fear. Scriptures warn us that the hearts of men will fail them with all the pressures and terrors they will face. We certainly live in an age of fear and anxiety. Millions of Americans are helped through their fears through therapy, while others are made better through medication. Whether it is an internal anxiety or brought on by the struggles of our nation, fear seems to be on the rise.

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In marked contrast are the followers of the Prince of Peace, whose lives are ruled by His peace. To be sure, many Christians have failed to grab hold of the promises of peace, but that failure does not dis- count the power of the promise. Over and over in the Word we are told not to be afraid because the Lord is with us. The Lord’s presence allows us to face our fears with courage.

We will need courage to face the battles ahead of us in our nation. For too long the church has been timid and passive, afraid to stand against the attacks of the enemy. Our nation cannot afford a silent church, afraid to speak truth into the issues of the day. The Lord speaks loudly to us today, “Be strong and courageous!”

Prayer Points

• Confess any fears you may have to the Turn them over to Him.
• Thank the Lord for His promise never to leave us or forsake us.
• Pray for a spirit of courage to rise within the church.

My Prayer

Father, forgive me for my fears. I hear You say in Your Word again and again, “Do not be afraid.” Today, I cast all my anxiety on You because You care for me. I hold onto the promises of Your peace. With Your presence, Lord, I choose courage as a way of life. Please pour that spirit of courage into the life of Your church in America. Help us to rise up in truth against the evils of our age. Help us to live in such a way that we are able courageously to model Your life, Lord Jesus, in the midst of our world.

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David Butts is the chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee and the president of Harvest Prayer Ministries. Photo Credit: PonyWang/Getty Images Signature via Canva Teams.