PrayerS When You Feel Anxious
Do you struggle with anxiety and not sure what to pray? This page includes prayers when you feel anxious. The words of the prayers are from verses and passages in the Bible--both in the Old and New Testaments. I gained victory in my own battles with anxiety by reciting verses from the Scriptures and incorporating them into my prayers. I encourage you to do the same. The reason is, as Romans 10:17 states, faith (the antidote to fear/anxiety) comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
I took the above photo at around dusk as a thunderstorm was crossing the area here in Sussex County, Delaware. The sky all around appeared ominous, and the moon looked orange/red. Frequent, vivid flashes of lighting illuminated the dark, evening sky. As I was driving on the back roads with trees on both sides, the wind picked up. I encountered a tree down in the road. Whenever I'm driving and I get caught in a storm, I start to feel anxious. That's one example of when I say such prayers. I've always connected the issue of anxiety with storms, which displayed itself in dreams at those periods of time in my life.
As I prayed the Scriptures, God enabled me to drive most of the way to my destination and then back home in a state of peace instead of panic, though I was nervous at first and at times gripping the steering wheel.
Reasons for feeling anxious usually fall into one of five broad categories:
- Fearing the future
2. Fearing the Unknown
3. Health-Related
4. Financial-Related
5. Relationship-Related
The following is a general prayer followed by ones that specifically focus on these categories:
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a heavy heart, feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and worry. Your Word reminds me that You are always with me, offering comfort and peace.
You have said, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I lay my burdens at Your feet, trusting in Your infinite wisdom and care.
I remember Your promise that You will never leave nor forsake me, and I take refuge in Your unfailing love. Help me to be still and know that You are God, my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Grant me the peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Renew my spirit and fill me with Your hope and joy, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Thank You for being my rock and fortress, for surrounding me with Your love and grace. I trust in Your plans for my life, knowing that You work all things together for good.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
This prayer draws from Philippians 4:6-7, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 46:10, and Romans 8:28.
prayers when you feel anxious in certain types of circumstances
In the following specific prayers when you feel anxious, you might think of various subcategories or even other types of situations that trigger anxiety...
1. Health-Related Anxiety
Dear God,
I come to You with a heart burdened by the weight of health concerns. Grant me Your peace that surpasses all understanding, as the Apostle Paul says in Philippians. Strengthen me in my body and mind, and provide wisdom to those who care for me and others going through the same types of issues. Help us to trust in Your plan and to find comfort in Your presence, for You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. May Your healing touch be upon us, as You are a God of restoration who brings relief, according to the Book of Jeremiah. You say in Your Word that our times are in Your Hands--not determined by any sickness. Thank You for Your unfailing love, and that Your perfect love casts out all fear.
Lord, we also hold onto Your promise in Isaiah 41:10, where You assure us not to fear because You are with us; You will strengthen and uphold us with Your righteous right hand. We trust in Your power to heal, as You demonstrated through Your Son, who healed all who came to Him. As I and others I know face these challenges, help us hold on to the truth that nothing is too hard for You. May we find rest in Your care, knowing that even in our weakness, Your grace is sufficient, and Your power is made perfect. Surround us with Your peace and grant us the courage to walk through this valley with unwavering faith in Your goodness.
References used in this prayer include:
Philippians 4:7
Psalm 46:1
Jeremiah 30:17
Psalm 31:15
1 John 4:18
Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 8:16
Exodus 15:26
Jeremiah 32:27
2 Corinthians 12:9
2. Financial Anxiety
Dear Heavenly Father,
I lift up my worries about finances to You. You are my Provider, and I trust in Your provision, as You affirm in Philippians 4:19. Please guide me to make wise decisions and to be a good steward of the resources You have given. Please calm my fears and help me to rely on Your faithfulness, which as You make clear in Matthew 6 extends even to the birds of the air and lilies of the field. According to Your way, will, and timing, please open doors of opportunity.
In any case, according to Your faithfulness and love O Lord, please provide for my needs so that I may be better equipped to bless and support others and live a life that honors and glorifies You..
Father, in moments of financial uncertainty, remind me of Your promise in Psalm 55:22 to cast my burdens on You, for You will sustain me. Help me to trust in Your provision as You care for the sparrows, knowing that I am of much greater value. Let me hold fast to Your Word in 2 Corinthians 9:8, which assures me that You are able to bless me abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, I will have all that I need, and I will abound in every good work.
May these truths calm my fears and anchor my heart in Your faithful provision...in Jesus' Name Amen.
References used in this prayer include:
Philippians 4:19
Matthew 6 : (Primarily 25-34)
Psalm 55:22
Matthew 10:29-31
2 Corinthians 9:8
3. Relationship Anxiety
Loving God,
My heart is heavy with concerns about my relationships. I come before You, seeking Your guidance and wisdom in my interactions with others. As You promise in James 1:5, I ask that You grant me wisdom generously, so that I may navigate these relationships according to Your perfect will.
Teach me to love as You love, with patience, kindness, and understanding, as You command in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Where forgiveness is needed, help me to forgive, just as You have forgiven me (Colossians 3:13). I pray for healing in any wounds and reconciliation where there is conflict, trusting in Your power to restore and make whole (Matthew 5:9).
While I ask for boldness and courage, as You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7), I also seek balance in my relationships. Help me to consider the needs of others and respect their boundaries, as Philippians 2:3-4 instructs us to value others above ourselves and look to their interests as well.
Lord, please fill my relationships with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), and with the joy that comes from Your presence (Psalm 16:11). In Jesus' Name, Amen.
References used in this prayer include:
James 1:5
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Colossians 3:13
Matthew 5:9
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 2:3-4
Philippians 4:7
Psalm 16:11
4. Future-Related Anxiety
Sovereign Lord,
The future often feels uncertain, and I struggle with fear of the unknown. Remind me that You hold my future in Your hands. Grant me the courage to face each day with faith and confidence in Your plans for me. Help me to surrender my worries to You, knowing that You are in control. May Your hope fill my heart as I trust in Your promises.
Thank You that our times are in Your Hands, as it says in the Psalms. Father, in moments of uncertainty, remind me and other brothers and sisters in Christ who are worried about the future-- that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever as You say in Hebrews 13:8. O Lord, please strengthen us with the assurance that You work all things together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.
Help us as Proverbs instructs-- to trust in You with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, acknowledging You in all our ways so that You may direct our paths. As we look to the future, fill us with the peace that comes from setting our minds on the Spirit, which leads to life and peace.
Note: Most of the words of these prayers are in first person, as an individual can use these with any struggles he or she faces. However, the Lord wants us to pray for others as well (see Ephesians 6:18-20, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, James 5:16). Feel free to change the pronouns within these prayers as you feel led including when specific names of others who are struggling come to mind.
References used in this prayer include:
Jeremiah 29:11
Joshua 1:9
1 Peter 5:7
Romans 15:13
Psalm 31:15
Hebrews 13:8
Romans 8:28
Proverbs 3:5-6
Romans 8:6
5. Fear of the Unknown
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a heart that is burdened by the fear of the unknown. I acknowledge my anxiety and uncertainty about the future and ask for Your comfort and peace.
The psalmist says in Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." Lord, help me to place my trust in You, knowing that You are my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Remind me that You are with me, even to the end of the age and that You will never leave me nor forsake me.
As I face the unknown, may I remember Your promise in Jeremiah 29:11 where You say You know the plans You have for me--plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future. Help me cling to this assurance, knowing that Your plans for me are good and filled with hope.
When I feel overwhelmed, let me find comfort in Your words from Isaiah that You are with me and that You are my God. You promise to strengthen me and help me and uphold me with Your righteous right hand. Please give me that awareness of your personal, comforting, supportive presence.
Teach me to be still and know that You are God. In my moments of fear and doubt, may You give me the peace to quiet my heart and listen for Your voice, trusting that You will guide me and show me the way.
Please continually give me Your peace, which transcends all understanding, to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, as it says in Philippians 4:7. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, that I may walk by faith and not by sight, confident in Your love and provision.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
References used in this prayer include:
Psalm 56:3
Jeremiah 29:11
Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 46:10
Philippians 4:7
May these prayers when you feel anxious not only give you the victory over fear, but also strengthen your faith going forward as well as help you grow in your relationship with the Lord.
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For more specific prayer pages:
https://www.encouragementscriptures.com/prayers-in-difficult-times.html
For a helpful resource on coping with anxiety--from a Christian perspective, click on the following link:
thewitness.org/christian-with-anxiety/
Article title:
"Thrive with Faith: A Christian's Guide to Coping with Anxiety"