10 Calming Psalms to Pray When You Feel Afraid
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While most of us know we shouldn’t live in fear, the recent events in our world ignites a spark of concern in our hearts. We wake up each day and wonder what is going to happen next. It’s easy to sink into a rhythm of heated anticipation that makes the heart long for security, peace and rest.
David knew what it meant to worry. He ran from Saul, hid in caves, sinned and sinned again. He covered his sin and then confessed. He knew what it meant to cry to the Lord, sing to the Lord, rejoice in Him, repent and lament. When we look at Psalm 37, we can turn this psalm into a prayer in times of worry and fear.
Let’s look at ten of the verses and turn each one into a prayer of trust in the Lord in moments of fear.
1. Psalm 37:1
“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!”
Dear Lord, I will not get worked up when I see people doing evil. I will focus on you and check the motives of my own heart. I trust you.
It’s easy to get all worked up when we see injustice, unkindness, and people treating other humans with disrespect. But all this evil in the world isn’t something we need to live in fear over. Instead we can claim the truth that God is in control. He is always working and in the end He wins (Revelation 21:4-8).
2. Psalm 37:2
“For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.”
Dear Lord, I know the evil I see in the world will not last forever. Your righteousness will reign, and right will ultimately win. I trust you.
There is coming a day when the heartache of this world will pass away and right will win. This gives us the hope we need in fear filled times to continue trusting until those final days (Revelation 22:3-5).
3. Psalm 37:3
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.”
Lord, I know my heart needs to rest in you, but sometimes it’s hard to do right. Help me choose to live a faithful life over a fearful life. I trust you.
This is not the time to give up and quit living for the Lord. Fear will give you every excuse to throw in the towel and decide there are too many challenges to keep pressing on. But Paul gives clear instructions on what to do when we fear begins to get the best of us. We must press on! (Philippians 3:13-14).
4. Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Lord, I choose your way and will. While I have many ideas and thoughts of how things should work out, help me remember your way is the best way. I trust you.
Sometimes I want to figure everything out. I have ideas of how to fix the problems in our world and I can’t understand why others won’t jump on board and get to work to make things right. But God is continually reminding me that His way is the best way. And He already has it all figured out (Romans 8:28).
5. Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”
Lord, I commit my fears to you today. There are so many unknowns and so many things that make my heart worry, but I know you are in control. I trust you.
Sometimes fear simply requires a commitment to let God work. He already knows the outcome. He already knows the things that keep you awake at night. When we turn it over to him, we are committing to trust Him and then our job is simple – wait for Him to work it out (Psalm 27:14).
6. Psalm 37:6
“He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”
Lord, You are just. You bring light in the darkness. I choose to believe you will shine through the circumstances I see. I choose to wait for you to work everything out for good. I trust you.
Though our world looks unfair and unjust, God is absolutely just and will make all things right one day. While we worry about being heard, seen and known, God is not concerned with our worldly agendas. He will make things right. Our job is loving Him and loving others well. (Matthew 22:36-40)
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7. Psalm 37:7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”
Lord, it’s hard for me to sit still in moments like this. I just want to fix it. Help me sit still in your presence and wait for your timing in all things. I trust you.
Sometimes fear paralyzes me, other times it makes me run like a maniac looking for help. Over and over again I see God reminding us to let Him take care of our fears. A few verses that remind us to let Him take control are Psalm 46:10 and Isaiah 41:10.
8. Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.”
Lord, the events I see happening in our world make me angry. Help my heart rest in the peace you offer. Forgive me when I act out in anger. I trust you.
Fear graduates to anger once it settles in. I think of the question, “How dare they?” or the statement, “I can’t believe people are so terrible.” Anger rises us and I feel the need to speak up. But there is a way to respond to the fear and anger without an evil heart. It’s not easy, but with God we can still be angry about what is happening, but respond with grace (Ephesians 4:22-27).
9. Psalm 37:23
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.”
Lord, thank you for giving me direction and guiding my steps. Sometimes I don’t know which way to turn, but I’m reminded today to always turn to you. I trust you.
Knowing I can trust God for the next steps in my life gives me hope. It’s hard sometimes when we can’t see the future. We don’t know which direction to go. We wonder if we should take action or lay low. But God will direct when we seek Him (Psalm 37:7).
10. Psalm 37:34
“Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.”
Lord, as I wait to see how things will work out, I choose to honor you with my thoughts, words, and actions. Help me to shine your light in the darkness. I trust you.
Waiting. Fear seems to always lead to this word. It’s in those unknown moments that we don’t know what to do that we have to wait. But we find the key to those uncertain moments in this verse. We wait and keep doing right. Sometimes we wait and do things our own way. This is when life gets super messy. But when we keep doing what we know to do, our focus stays steady on Jesus. It’s when we get our eyes off of the Lord that we begin to worry and doubt. Fear grips us and we begin to sink (Matthew 14:29-32).
If fear seems to have a hold of you in these difficult days we are walking through, choose one of the verses that speaks to your heart and pray it aloud today.
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Micah Maddox is a wife, mama, friend, Bible teacher, and author of a James: Tired, Tested, Torn, and Full of Faith. You can find encouraging resources FREE HERE! Micah is passionate about helping women learn what it truly means to daily walk with Jesus. She is on the Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 Writing Team and writes for Encouragement From Women. Her main ministry is at home with her husband, Rob, who leads worship at Clear Springs Baptist Church in East Tennessee, and with her five children, some by birth, and some by adoption. Micah's heart for her local church is what fuels her desire to keep writing, teaching, and serving. Micah loves to give a voice to hurting hearts and writes and speaks to the one who needs encouragement. You can connect with her on Instagram or micahmaddox.com.