Most of us have a false or rather misleading image of the Lord. He is not a grandfather figure who is just Love and neither is He an impersonal God who is only to be dreaded. Rather, He is the Almighty Creator who should be loved, respected, held in awe, revered and feared. The Sovereign and omnipotent Father who delights in hearing from His children.

Thus the Fear of th Lord is a mandatory requirement as far as Prayer bis concerned. The Fear of the Lord is one of the most important attributes that an ardent beleiver should aspire for. It is giving GOD His rightful preeminence. It is the keeping of the 1st and most important of all commandments.

This small verse from Proverbs is an example

“The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.” [Proverbs 19:23; KJV]

The blessings are not limited to us alone but also to our successors. It evidently follows us into the afterlife too.

1. “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” [Proverbs 14:26–27; KJV]
2. “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” [Psalm 19:9;KJV]

However, it does not come automatically to the ardent beleiver.

• Verse 29 of Proverbs 1 mentions “choosing" it. This means that it has to be a conscious decision.
• In its 11th verse , Psalm 34 says that the Holy Spirit teaches us
• The scripture says that we are to be humble and to “ depart from evil" . — ”Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” [Proverbs 3:7;KJV]

Overall, again Humility is emphasized. The requirements seem very much as to what the Lord had in mind in this verse —

“Thus saith t he LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” [Jeremiah 17:5; KJV]