Fear Not Erhard, for the Lord is always with you! Jerusalem For the rest of your life, we proclaim the Jewish prayer over you to Fear Not, Erhard. “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) To be released from earthly fears and grow in fear of the Lord is essential to living in perfect shalom and accessing the wisdom, guidance, and power of our Awesome God. So central to Jewish thinking is not being afraid that it is recited at the end of the Jewish Shabbat service as well as in the daily evening prayer. The people say, Adonai li; lo ira — יְהוָ֣ה לִ֭י לֹ֣א אִירָ֑א: God is with me; I shall not fear. (Psalm 118:6; also Isaiah 41:10) Men wearing tallit (prayer shawls) read from their siddurs (prayer books). God’s teaching about fea...
