Fearless Faith

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 19 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we are learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to leave your comments, questions and/or scripture in the comment section below this post.

"FEAR-or False Evidence Appearing Real- easily strikes children because they can't always discern what's real and what isn't. Our comfort, reassurance and love can help them; but praying, speaking the Word of God in faith, and praising God for His love and power, can free them." (Stormie Omartian, The Power of A Praying Parent, p. 136)

I know this chapter is about praying for our children to be free from fear. I feel like I need to examine and reflect on how we as parents can recognize and deal with our own fears first. Stormie reminds us of a very important truth in this chapter. Fear is not from God. It is a tactic that the devil uses to confuse, immobilize, frighten and scatter us so that we can't see our blessings and give up before we reach our victory.

Jesus tell us in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Those nagging doubts, fears about the future, how it feels when one bad day seems like the ultimate realization of defeat-these are not from God. Anything that paralyzes us, traps us and defeats us is not from God, it is from the enemy. Whenever a thought comes into our minds, whatever it is based on- we can determine if it is from God or the enemy by the effect it has on us. When God speaks to us, we receive revelation, insight, courage, strength and inspiration. When the enemy speaks to us, we receive condemnation, doubt and fear. God's words give us peace and can fill us with boldness. The enemy's words steal our joy so that we don't know our power through Christ in us.

At the end of this chapter Stormie shares this scripture, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)

I always understand this scripture better when I include the two verses before it:

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4: 16-18)

If we keep our minds, hearts and mouths full of God's love we can drive out fear, just as Stormie and her family did in Los Angeles. As Stormie points out, our children are even more vulnerable to fear because they do not understand how they can discern what is good and evil. However, our prayers can cover them and protect them from this kind of fear. We can use the wisdom and knowledge that God gives us to bind evil spirits and break strongholds in prayer. By confessing God's love as spoken in His word, being persistent in prayer and full of praise, we can set our families free from fear.