Create a Habit of PrayerSample

I let fear win way too often. I remember the failures. I meditate on hypotheticals. I ponder the world's take on things. And really, after all that, am I surprised that fear takes over?

David had a lot to fear, and he no doubt felt like things were out of control. Yet he chose to remember the days of old. He meditated on all that God had done. He pondered the work of God's hands.

Why did He do this? Remembering all God was capable of in the past filled him with trust in knowing God would not forsake him in the future. Even the courage David showed to fight Goliath was based on God's past faithfulness (1 Samuel 17:37).

What has God done in your past? In what moments have you seen God work like only He can? It's so easy to forget God's faithfulness, and this, I believe, is one of our greatest reasons for fear. We forget that God has already proven Himself faithful and worthy of our trust.

My ESV Study Bible note on Psalm 143:5 says, "Being at the end of his strength need not mean that he gives up; if he can remember the days of old, he can have fresh courage to stretch out his hands to God."

The modern-day version of this sentiment might sound something like: If I can look back on answered prayers from the previous month, I'll have fresh courage and a holy expectation for what God can do in the next one.

Can we let a lifetime of answered prayers not be forgotten, but instead fill us with hope that God is mighty and at work in every day to come?

ACTION STEP: Start a journal (or grab one of our Prompted Prayer Journals) and write down answered prayers. Let them fill you with faith and courage for your future.

Was this Plan helpful? We adapted this Plan from our Fresh Start Devotional.