Courage Without Pressure - Your Nightly Prayer - May 20th

Courage Without Pressure
Your Nightly Prayer
by Jennifer Slattery

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7

SOMETHING TO PONDER

How often do you lie awake at night, fretting over tomorrow’s challenge? That deadline you fear you’ll miss, conversation you dread, and problem you don’t know how to solve. What if your sense of insufficiency works to your advantage—when it encourages you to rely more completely on God, the all-sufficient One? That’s where we find wisdom, strength in place of weakness, and courage to do the hard right thing, even when that comes at a cost. 

The beginning of tonight’s verse, “The spirit God gives,” reminds us of where our confidence comes from and encourages us to receive what He’s already provided. This often requires resting in His presence, something that might feel impossible amid an anxious spiral. It becomes easier, however, when we pause, take a few deep breaths, and ask God to help us sense His presence. In that quiet, restful space, He might bring to mind something we must release or a step that more deeply anchors us in His transformative grace. His Spirit within provides three important tools that enable us to face any challenge with hopeful anticipation rather than dread. In Him, we’ve already received, and presently possess, supernatural power. According to Scripture, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead resides within us, giving us all we need to do whatever God asks. 

We’ve also received a sound, or rational, mind. This means, with God’s help and intentional practice, we can learn to interrupt self-sabotaging thoughts and redirect them toward truth. As we do, we’re actually reshaping how our minds respond—weakening fear-based patterns and strengthening pathways that lead to peace. This is the truth. The God who formed you, knows you, and promised to bring good from everything you encounter, remains with you, watches over you, and is always working on your behalf. 

Lastly, we’ve received supernatural love. God’s incomprehensible and inexhaustible love motivates all He does and allows. He’ll never abandon, manipulate, or mistreat us. To do so would contradict who He is at His core.  This also impacts how we respond to others—the friend we must confront about a hurtful behavior, the boss who blows past our boundaries, that adult child who verbally attacks us. We don’t have to live enslaved to our gut reactions that, often, lead to painful messes and added shame. We can rise above and respond to others in ways that increase our self-respect and are more apt to bring about godly outcomes. 

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Dear God,
Thank You for not leaving us to navigate this world alone. Thank You for giving us the mind of Christ, His strength and power working in and through us, and for steadily building our godly confidence as we deepen our connection with and reliance on You. Help us to trust in Your perfect plans for us. Increase our sensitivity to Your voice so that we can more consistently receive Your comfort, strength and truth. We entrust the challenge before us to You and rest in Your faithfulness, displayed throughout Scripture and our lives.
In Jesus name,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Spiritual maturity isn’t about trying harder and doing better but resting in what God has done and promises yet to do. Striving, which involves carrying the weight of our lives alone, increases stress and anxiety. Yielding to the One who is in all, overall, and working through all leads to soul-deep calm and rest. What is God inviting you to place in His hands? Intentionally do that now, asking Him to give you the strength to release your grip and not pick that thing up again.
2. Often, anxiety and fear are rooted in lies regarding God’s power, presence, and heart. What lies are your fears proclaiming? What truth might God want you to intentionally rehearse instead? If you’re not sure, ask Him, and meditate on what He reveals. Psalm 139:16 says God recorded every day of your life in His book, before one came to be. That means that the challenge in front of you can’t undo the good He plans for you. It doesn’t have that much power, friend. 
3. When anxiety rises, pause and picture your concern standing beside Almighty God. Then, reflect on His attributes that speak directly to your fear, thanking Him for remaining fully present and in loving control of all that involves you.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Matt Henry Gunther

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com.

She’s passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube.

For the one who is weary without answers. If you’re still showing up and still praying — but starting to wonder if it’s working — this 90-day devotional will meet you right there, with honesty and Scripture in place of easy answers.

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