Pause, pray, and avoid jumping to the worst conclusion

Treat the first frightening explanation as definitely true

Hide the fear and act as if nothing is wrong

Assume that anything unexpected means God is absent

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and need your mercy. I turn from my sin and from trusting my own understanding. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord and ask you to lead my life, especially when I am afraid and do not know what I am seeing. Amen.

Come to Jesus in Fear

Lord, revive your church when fear makes us misread your presence. Wake us from panic, soften our hearts, and teach us to recognize you quickly and trust you deeply. Make us a people who cry out in faith rather than despair, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Us to Recognize You

Father, when I am shaken by what I see, calm my heart and give me clear sight. Keep me from letting fear write the story before I have sought you, and teach me to respond with trust instead of panic, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Calm My Startled Heart

Pray by naming one fear that is making you jump to conclusions, asking God for clearer sight, and asking for a calmer response than panic.

Praying for Clear Sight

Bring these to God: situations where surprise turns into fear, places where you need better discernment, and the grace to recognize Jesus before you react.

See Clearly in the Moment

Pray for someone you know who is startled, anxious, or confused; ask that they would not be ruled by fear but would find Christ near them and respond with faith.

For Those Who Are Afraid

⸂οἱ{hee###hee###the} δὲ{DE###DEH###but} μαθηταὶ{ma-thee-TE###mah-thee-TEH###disciples} ἰδόντες{ee-DON-tes###ee-DOHN-tehs###having seen} αὐτὸν⸃{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###him} ἐπὶ{e-PEE###eh-PEE###on} ⸂τῆς{TEES###TEES###the} θαλάσσης⸃{tha-LAS-sees###thah-LAHS-sees###sea} περιπατοῦντα{pe-ree-pa-TOON-ta###peh-ree-pah-TOON-tah###walking} ἐταράχθησαν{e-ta-RAKH-thee-san###eh-tah-RAHKH-thee-sahn###(They) were troubled} λέγοντες{LE-gon-tes###LEH-gohn-tehs###saying} ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###that} Φάντασμά{FAN-ta-sma###FAHN-tah-smah###a ghost} ἐστιν,{e-stin###eh-stin###is} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###from} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###the} φόβου{FO-voo###FOH-voo###fear} ἔκραξαν.{E-kra-ksan###EH-krah-ksahn###they cried out}

Matthew 14:26 — FormalTAB

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