We all have a fear lurking within us, the fear of the unknown. We are afraid to commit sins for fear of heaven or for fear that it instigates the wrath of God. We, whether we are theists or atheists, have some fear all the while.
Nobody is certain about what happens next. Even if we live in a big cemented building in a mega city with all kinds of security we are not immune from fear. We may imagine that bombs can be dropped from above anytime. There are stories of tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes.
Man therefore lives under a veil of fear. As such he wants protection. It is written in religious texts that he can be saved if he prays.
We all are conditioned from the time of childhood that we should be afraid of God and obey. We all are told about the consequences of disobeying God.
Do we really need to fear God?
I am unsure. In fact if God is a father figure or very bivalent and merciful he regards us as his own children and children are vulnerable beings and parents forgive them.
Moreover, God is said to be almighty and can do the unthinkable. As such even if his children are vulnerable to sins or fall he can protect them from doing evils.
But the fact is that there is no justice in this world. Even if people commit crimes they advance and those who are really hardworking, honest fail in life.
I doubt there is universal justice.