A Prayer for the Anxious

Heavenly Father, Your word instructs me to cast my anxieties on You, because You care for me (1 Peter 5:7). I confess that I have too often misjudged Your character, questioned Your kindness, and doubted Your provision. I have not considered the ways that You provide for all life, including food for the ravens and beauty for the lilies of the field. If You care for these, how much more do You care for Your children, for me (Luke 12:22-31)?

I have little faith. I believe, but help my unbelief (Mark 9:23–24). Father, in my anxiety and worry, I have believed the lie that I can control my circumstances. Help me to remember that by worrying, I cannot change what You have ordained, or even add a single hour to my life. Worry and anxiety can't even get me one step further down the road. They are fruitless. Help me to look at my life through eyes of faith. Help me to see my current circumstances as part of Your eternal plan to work all things for my good; to make me more like Christ (Romans 8:28–30).

While I am not in control of my life, remind me that You are. God, You are the one who speaks into existence things that do not exist (Romans 4:17). You are the one who brings life from death, beauty from ashes, and comfort and gladness from mourning (Isaiah 61:3). You can still a raging sea with merely Your word (Mark 4:35–41); do the same for me. Speak Your ‘peace, be still' to my troubled mind. Quiet the inner turmoil of my heart. Remind me of Your power and Your care. Nothing is impossible for You. I believe, but help my unbelief. Thank You for holding all things together by Your power (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17).

Thank You for giving me life and breath today. Thank You for sending Jesus to take my sin and give me His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5.21). Thank You for forgiving my sins through Christ, and delivering me from death and darkness to Your kingdom of light and life (Colossians 1:13-14). Thank You for Your continual presence, and Your peace that surpasses understanding which guards my heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Thank You for being my Prince of Peace. Thank You for Your loving care and concern to meet all my deepest needs.

Remembering all I have to be thankful for, I bring my requests to You (Philippians 4:6), my Heavenly Father and Giver of all good gifts (Matthew 7:11). Lord teach me to trust You, to learn the secret of contentment in every circumstance: that through Christ, I can endure all things. I am weak, but You give me strength (Philippians 4:11–13). If it is Your will, I pray that You would take from me this anxious spirit and frame of mind. If not, help me to know and rejoice in and feel that Your grace is sufficient for me, and Your power made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8–10).

Help me to be free from every form of greed (Luke 12:15) and every form of idolatry (1 John 5:21), and to remember that it is Your good pleasure to give me the kingdom (Luke 12:32). Help me to value Your kingdom and Kingship above all else, and give me a generous spirit toward others in need (Luke 12:33–34). Renew my mind. Give me faith for what I cannot see. I believe, but help my unbelief. Grant that one day, I might comfort others with the comfort I receive from You (2 Corinthians 1:4). In Christ's name and for His sake I pray. Amen.