When we find ourselves looking for ways to cope with anxious thoughts and excessive worry, we are not alone. Many people of all ages wrestle with those thoughts and regrettably fail to experience the perfect peace that Jesus generously offers. But He is more than willing to help us operate with a peaceful mindset when we approach His throne in prayer and ask Him to guide us.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Here are four prayers for when you feel anxious. I pray they help bring the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” to your anxious heart.
Prayer #1
Dear Lord, I come to You with an anxious heart. Help me to shift my perspective and see the good things You are doing in my life. Bring the people who care about me to my mind. Help me focus on the things and people I am grateful for. As I count my blessings, may I thank You for all of them.
Help me rest in the truth that You are in control of this world. I pray that You will enable me to take deep breaths and rid my mind of any troubling thoughts preventing me from focusing on Your goodness, sovereignty, and love.
I ask You to replace my anxiety with Your perfect peace, which will guard my heart and mind against anxious and worrisome thoughts taking hold again. In Your Name, Amen.
Prayer #2
Dear Lord, I am so thankful that I can call on You at any time knowing You hear my prayer and care about my burdens. You are so good and kind, and You want to help Your children live in joy and peace.
I bring my anxieties to You today. I lay them at Your feet. Help me not pick them back up again, and trust that You are intervening in each situation. Empower me to surrender my anxieties to You, confident that You will make a way where there seems to be no way.
Lord, help me to believe Your promise never to leave or forsake Your children. When I feel alone, make Yourself more real to me than ever before.
Thank You for caring for me as You do and for Your unfailing love. In Your Name, Amen.
Prayer #3
Dear Lord, I thank You for all the times You have brought me tranquility in the past, and I trust You to do it again.
I feel especially weighed down with worry today, and I desperately need Your comfort. My thoughts are swirling. I am struggling to prevent them from spinning out of control. Enable me to take my thoughts captive just as Your Word says. Teach me how to halt wayward thought patterns dominating my mind. Allow me to fix my eyes on what is true instead of dwelling on the unknown or the worst-case scenario. Bring my thoughts into agreement with Yours.
I am so grateful that You are a promise-keeping God. Today, I especially appreciate Your promise to impart peace when our minds are on You. In Your Name, Amen.
Prayer #4
Dear Lord, thank You for Your love and consistently providing me with everything I need. Remind me of Your complete trustworthiness when I doubt how amazingly faithful You are.
Thank You for being accessible and available no matter when and where we call upon You. Thank You for working all things together for good for all who love You.
When worry and anxiety threaten to gain traction in my mind, empower me to stop them in their tracks. Remind me that I have authority over my attitude, perspective, and thought patterns. I am grateful that I can depend on You to strengthen me and be with me in every situation.
Help me embrace a calm mindset and be still as You lovingly replace my anxiety with Your perfect peace. In Your Name, Amen.
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 ESV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
