I love the idea of fear and love not being able to occupy the same space. I probably wouldn't have understood this early on in my recovery, but I see it now - for me to be in fear puts me in a place where I am in self, where I am closed to my HP and closed to others. I am of no use in that place - the decisions based on fear lead to anger, resentment, jealousy, etc. and with those in my space, love has been edged out. I cannot feel love towards my fellow man when anger or jealousy has staked a claim. When I pray to God to remove my fear, and act on the courage it takes to overcome that fear, I am placing myself closer to God, and in the sunlight of His spirit. It is there that I am of more use to others.
I don't undervalue the power of prayer when it comes to fear. For fear ruled my entire life, and now I am learning to stop fearing fear...and knowing I don't do it alone.