Introduction: What is the Best Prayer for Anxiety?
Anxiety can often feel like a shadow looming over many aspects of daily life, yet in prayer we cast our cares upon God and receive his care for us. As we turn our hearts from our fears to God we find strength and peace. The Bible speaks in many places to our fears and anxieties. The best way to pray in anxiety is to pray through the Psalms. While many Psalms are helpful perhaps Psalm 56 is one of the best in our anxiety.
Psalm 56:1–13
Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me; he fights and oppresses me all day long. My adversaries trample me all day, for many arrogantly fight against me. When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? They twist my words all day long; all their thoughts against me are evil. They stir up strife, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. Will they escape in spite of such sin? God, bring down the nations in wrath. You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere humans do to me? I am obligated by vows to you, God; I will make my thanksgiving sacrifices to you. For you rescued me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.
A Short Prayer for Anxiety
Lord, still my heart in this moment of anxiety. Replace my fears with Your peace that surpasses understanding. Amen.
A Longer Prayer for Anxiety
Father in Heaven, I come to You in the throes of anxiety, seeking the calm only You can provide. David proclaimed, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3 ESV). In moments of overwhelming worry, I cling to this truth, placing my trust wholly in You.
Paul reminded 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). With a heart grateful for Your constant presence, I lay down my anxieties at Your feet.
As the tides of unease rise around me, let Your Word be the anchor that holds firm. Let Your peace fill my mind, quiet the racing thoughts, and steady the restless pulse of my heart. Grant me the grace to face each challenge with courage, knowing that You are by my side. Help me to cast every care upon You, for You are the bearer of all burdens.
May Your love envelop me, providing comfort and strength. In the face of anxiety, let Your Spirit guide me to a place of serenity and rest. I trust in Your providential care, and I rest in the assurance of Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Devotional: How Do I Let God Take My Anxiety?
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
David begins by acknowledging his fear, not denying its existence. This is a critical first step in dealing with anxiety: recognizing our fears and bringing them before God. It’s in the acknowledgment of our vulnerability that we also recognize our need for God’s intervention. David’s trust in God doesn’t erase his fear but positions his heart towards faith, despite his feelings.
David’s confidence stems from his trust in God’s word. In times of anxiety, God’s promises are our anchor, reminding us of His faithfulness and love. The rhetorical question, “What can flesh do to me?” reflects a profound shift in perspective—from fearing man to trusting in the Almighty. It invites us to consider the temporary and limited nature of our earthly troubles in light of God’s eternal care and sovereignty. “The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident.” – Max Lucado
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (Psalm 56:8). This verse beautifully illustrates God’s tender care for us. Not a single tear we shed goes unnoticed by Him. Our struggles with anxiety, our sleepless nights, and every moment of despair are known to God. He values our pain to the extent of keeping a record, a comforting reminder that we are never forgotten, nor are our struggles insignificant to Him.
David’s declaration, “God is for me,” is the cornerstone of transforming fear into faith. It’s a powerful affirmation of God’s unwavering support for us. Knowing that the Creator of the universe is on our side changes how we face our anxieties. It doesn’t mean that our circumstances change instantly, but our perspective on them does. With God for us, we can navigate through our fears with a grounded hope and confidence. We can be assured of this all the more as we look at Jesus.
David’s response to his fear and anxiety is not just trust but also praise. Thankfulness is a powerful antidote to anxiety. It shifts our focus from our problems to God’s provision and presence. Praising God for past deliverances and His promise of eternal life infuses our hearts with hope, empowering us to walk in the light of His presence, even in the darkest times.
Let Psalm 56 encourage you to bring your anxieties before God, trusting in His word and finding comfort in His care for you. Remember, your tears are precious to Him, and His presence is a constant source of strength and peace. As you acknowledge your fears, may you also embrace the transformative power of trust and praise, walking confidently in the light of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. Also check out this resource for further devotionals on anxiety.
A Children’s Prayer for Anxiety
God, when I’m scared and feel alone,
Please be my peace, my steady stone.
Help me to sleep, help me to rest,
Safe in Your care, feeling blessed.
When worries come and shadows creep,
I’ll say a prayer before I sleep.
God’s with me through the night so long,
In His loving arms, I belong. Amen.