“…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (James 5:16).
Some time ago the Lord spoke these words to me: “Pray about everything and fear nothing.” He said this to me when I had a vague feeling of fear that a new hairdresser I was going to would not do a good job.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me: “Don’t fear it, pray about it. Pray that the Lord will anoint this woman so she is able to do for you what needs to be done.”
Then over the next couple of weeks He continued showing me different things about prayer versus fear. Many of them dealt with little areas in which fear would try to creep into my life and cause me problems. He showed me that in every case, no matter how great or important or how small or insignificant, the solution was to pray.
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice….
For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!
(Isa. 41:10,13)
In this passage, the Lord tells His people not to look around them in terror or be dismayed, for He is their God.
Sometimes we become afraid just by staring at our circumstances. That is always a mistake. The more we focus our eyes and our mouths on the problem, the more fearful we become. Instead, we are to keep our eyes and our mouths focused on God. He is able to handle anything that we may ever have to face in this life.
God has promised to strengthen us, to harden us to difficulties, to hold us up and retain us with His victorious right hand. He also commands us not to be afraid. But remember, He is not commanding us never to feel fear, but rather not to let it control us.
The Lord is saying to you and me personally, “Fear not, I will help you.” But we never experience the help of God until we place everything on the line, until we are obedient enough to step out in faith.
Do you know when I experience the anointing of God to preach? When I have walked up on the platform and begun to speak – not before, but when I have stepped out.
God is saying to us today, “Stop letting fear rule your life. Begin to do what I am telling you to do, because what I am telling you is for your benefit. I know the blessings that are on the other side and so does the devil. That’s why he is coming against you with fear and why I keep telling you to fear not.”
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, her books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on the mind, mouth, moods and attitudes. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.
Joyce hosts a TV and radio show, Enjoying Everyday Life, which broadcasts worldwide to a potential audience of 4.5 billion people. She has authored 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages. More than 12 million of her books have been distributed free of charge around the world, and each year millions of copies are sold.
Joyce conducts close to a dozen domestic and international conferences every year, teaching people to enjoy their everyday lives. For 30 years, her annual women's conference has attracted more than 200,000 women from all over the world to St. Louis for specifically themed teachings by her and guest speakers.
Through her teachings, God has provided opportunities to meet the needs of the suffering and bring the Gospel in a practical way. Joyce's passion to help hurting people every day is foundational to the vision of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. These outreaches around the globe include feeding programs, medical care, homes for orphans, and programs combatting human trafficking. In her hometown of St. Louis, Joyce and Dave, her husband, founded the St. Louis Dream Center (SLDC) in 2000. The SLDC serves the inner city through hands-on programs targeted at reaching the lost and hurting with the love of Christ.
Over the years, God has provided Joyce with many opportunities to share her testimony and the life-changing message of the Gospel. Having suffered sexual abuse throughout her childhood, as well as just dealing with the struggles of everyday life, Joyce discovered the freedom to live victoriously by applying God's Word to her life and in turn desires to help others do the same.
Joyce is and continues to be an incredible testimony of the dynamic, redeeming work of Jesus Christ.