Bible-based prayers for “Anxiety and fear”, to read or listen to.
In the midst of anxiety
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
God who is near, right now my mind won't stop. My thoughts are piling up, my chest is tight and everything seems bigger than it is. I don't even know how to pray, but I come to you just as I am. You know the multitude of thoughts within me, and still you do not pull away. Put your comfort where there is turmoil now. Help me breathe slowly, feel the ground under my feet and remember that this will pass. I am not ashamed to feel this way before you. If this keeps happening, give me the courage to ask for help and talk to someone I trust. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Lord, my refuge, fear has suddenly come crashing down on me. My heart is racing and I feel I'm losing control. I say it to you in simple words: when I am afraid, I will trust in you. I repeat that sentence slowly, again and again. You are here, even if I can't feel it right now. As I breathe in, I receive your care. As I breathe out, I give you my fear. Hold me until this wave passes. Remind me that this feeling, though very strong, will not last forever. And when I calm down, give me wisdom and courage to seek the help I need. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Heavenly Father, the future scares me. I think about work, my health, my family, everything that could go wrong, and I get ahead of problems that haven't even arrived. Your Word tells me that you go before me, and that you will not leave me or forsake me. Help me live just today, holding your hand. Give me what I need for these hours. Whatever comes tomorrow will also be under your care. Teach me to calmly do what is mine to do today and leave the rest in your hands. Thank you that you are already in my tomorrow. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Faithful God, there are worries that stay with me from the moment I wake up until I go to bed. I go over the same things again and again, and it wears me out. Today I want to do what your Word invites me to do: cast my burden on you. Here I name what troubles me, one thing after another. Thank you for listening to me and for caring about everything I care about. You promise to sustain me and not to let me stay fallen forever. Give me your peace and guard my heart and my thoughts. And when the worry returns, remind me to come back to you. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Lord of my life, I am facing a situation where I don't know what is going to happen. I am waiting for an answer, a decision or a change, and the uncertainty weighs on me. I would like to see the whole road, but I can only see the next step. Your Word invites me to wait for you, to be strong and to let my heart take courage. Help me live this confusing moment that way, even if today the road looks crooked to me. Give me patience, clarity to decide when the time comes and wise people to advise me. I rest in the fact that you do know what is coming. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
Compassionate Father, I feel a sadness so deep that sometimes I don't even have the strength to get up. Everything is hard, and I find no joy in what I used to enjoy. Thank you for not rejecting me for feeling this way. When Elijah collapsed in the desert, you didn't scold him: you let him sleep, gave him bread and water, and sent someone to wake him tenderly. Take care of me like that. Help me take small steps: eat, rest, go out a little into the light. Give me the courage to tell someone what I'm going through and to seek professional help if I need it. Don't let go of me on this long road. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
