Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes (Psalm 112: 6-8).
Our Father in heaven, we praise You, we worship You. You are our rock, the foundation on which our life, our hope is built. Through the unfailing love of the Most High [we] will not be shaken (Psalm 21:7).
Oh Lord our God, we see so much all around us that could cause us to be swallowed up in fear and anxiety, so much that could cause our hearts to fail, so much that could cause us to spiral into despair. The news is a constant and overwhelming smorgasbord of evil—wars, and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, violence and wickedness, pestilences and fearful events (Matthew 24:6-7; Luke 21:11).
Yet in all the chaos, the turmoil, the upheaval around us, we have the assurance that those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever (Psalm 125:1). Help us to hold fast to this truth. Keep us hearts steadfast—free from fear of bad news.
Father, teach us to walk in wisdom—maintaining prudent awareness without being drawn into a steady diet of bad news, or a morbid fascination with evil. Give us the discernment to recognize falsehoods, fabrications, unverified rumors, gossip, slander, and manipulative messages designed to stoke fear, hate, malice, anger, and prejudice of any kind.
On our own we are no match for the crafty enemy of our souls and his evil schemes. All around us are minefields of deceit and treachery. Help us to be faithful in prayer, diligent in study, and dependent on the Holy Spirit so we are not duped and manipulated.
Help us to be mindful of the words of our Savior as He commissioned the disciples: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). Give us that balance, Father, so we don't become willing participants in evil, or naïve pawns in the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:14).
Keep us grounded and fearless, free of any anxiety that could be exploited for evil. Turn [our] eyes away from worthless things (Psalm 119:37). Help us to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
Your word tells us that light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones (Proverbs 15:30). Fill our hearts with Your joy. Help us to rejoice with the truth—the truth that our times are in the hands of the Sovereign God. Keep our hearts secure and free from fear as we trust in Your perfect, unfailing love.
Teach us to minister to the alarmed and the greatly distressed among us, sharing the gospel of the kingdom....in the whole world as a testimony to all nations (Matthew 24:14). Help us to be the living expression of the Scripture that says, How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns” (Isaiah 52:7)!
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