2024 21 Day Fast Devotional — Day 8: Prayer is Predicated on the Promises of God

“Whenever I am afraid I will put my trust in You. In God in whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust” Psalm 56:3,4  (NASB).

Fear is a natural response to situations or concerns when we become conscious of our inadequacies. It may be concern about failure to meet the expectations of someone whose approval matters or dread that something might happen that you are unable to handle. The Psalmist tells us that in such situations we should trust in God. Why? Because God is more than enough for any situation. 

How does the Psalmist show his trust in God?  In vs 4 we read: “In God ‘whose word I praise’ in God I trust, I will not be afraid.” He praises God’s word. He esteems it. Our response to fear is a reflection of how much we esteem God’s word. If, indeed, we esteem God’s word then we must turn to God and His Word when confronted by a situation that would cause us to fear. He has promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us, that though we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death he will be there to comfort us with his Rod and His Staff. This tells us that whether it is the fear of man, to which the Psalmist was responding in Psalm 56:4 or the fear of death as in Psalm 23:4, God has a promise we can present to Him. 

Prayer is simply turning to God and reminding Him of what He has promised in His word. Prayer is predicated on promises. We cannot pray effectively without reminding God of His promises. Promises pack prayer with power.

U.S. diplomats rarely fear emergency situations in foreign countries because they trust in America’s military might. Their country has vowed to protect them. We are deployed by a greater authority than the United States. There are innumerable promises in the Word of God you can present to God that apply to your situation and remind Him that you are depending on Him to fulfill His promise. Psalm 138:2 tells us that God has magnified His Word above His name.  He will honor His word.

Prayer and Reflection:

Father, I know there are times I will be afraid. I thank you that I can trust in you whenever I am afraid. Like the psalmist, I praise Your Word, Your Word which contains great and precious promises which you are faithful to fulfill. Help me to keep your promises ever before me and to be thankful always.