Not a Spirit of Fear — sacred illustration
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Anxiety & Fear

Not a Spirit of Fear

2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Paul wrote it as a prisoner, near the end of his life, to Timothy, whom he calls his beloved child.

Father, You have not given me a spirit of fear. Fear still knocks, and today it feels loud. So I come to You for what You have given: power, love, and self-control. Steady my thoughts and strengthen my heart. Help me love the people in front of me instead of running from what scares me, and let me live today by the Spirit You gave, not by my fear. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:7 says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Paul wrote it as a prisoner, near the end of his life, to Timothy, whom he calls his beloved child.

The Scripture

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”

— 2 Timothy 1:7

Prayer points from 2 Timothy 1:7

  1. Name before God the fear that is loudest today.
  2. Thank Him that fear is not the spirit He has given you.
  3. Ask Him for power to do what He has called you to do.
  4. Ask Him to fill you with love for the people in front of you.
  5. Ask for self-control over your thoughts, words and reactions.
  6. Ask Him to fan into flame the gift He has placed in you.

About this verse

Second Timothy is a letter from Paul to Timothy, the younger man he calls his beloved child. Paul is writing as a prisoner, and later in the letter he says the time of his departure is at hand. He remembers Timothy’s tears and his sincere faith, which first lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Then he tells Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that is in him, because God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. The next verse shows what Timothy had reason to fear: Paul urges him not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, or of Paul His prisoner, but to join in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. Paul does not tell Timothy he will never feel afraid; he reminds him what God has given instead. It is a prayer for anyone whose fear feels bigger than their faith today.

When to pray this prayer

More prayers for anxiety & fear

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