Q: Please, please pray for me. I’m feeling afraid and alone, especially with current world events. — Rachel, from London
A: Rachel, in light of the horrific violence, social upheaval, political unrest, financial instability and uncertainty we see on a daily basis around the world, many people are feeling alone and afraid right now. Surely this is the time that Jesus spoke of when “men’s hearts [are] failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-27, NKJV).
Fortunately, we have a God who is fully trustworthy, so we can say with the Psalmist: Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” (Ps. 56:3-4, NKJV).
I encourage you to read (and memorize) Psalm 91. In that magnificent chapter, we read promise after promise of God’s protective care for His children — “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (vs. 11).
The secret to living without fear comes in building upon the Rock. Jesus said, “whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matt. 7:24).
When we place our lives completely in His capable hands, we will be at peace. In that magnificent book on the life of Christ, “The Desire of Ages,” Ellen White writes that the same Jesus who was with the disciples on the stormy Sea of Galilee is with us today:
“He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best” (p. 336).
Let’s trust Him completely as we approach the worst storm this Earth has ever experienced.