A Prayer for Untangling from the Stress of Worry
By Lia Girard
Bible Reading
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33
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What an honor that we get to pray to a God who’s bigger than all of our worries, any time, any day. Even better, every day.
And even though each new day we’re given is surely full of rough or well-laid plans, we all know our desires can be thwarted by unexpected detours. A day can be destroyed by a phone call, an accident, a job notice, anything. This is because life will never be worry-free or perfect.
Jesus assures us of this in the heart of John 16:33, saying “...in this world you will have trouble.” Yet his statement is bookended by an offer and a promise. He opens with an offer of his peace within us. He closes with encouragement to take heart because he has overcome the world. This means the messy parts of life on earth are not entirely up to us to figure out. Ultimately, the outcomes of illness, lack, stressors, worries, dangers, and more are in God’s hands.
Jesus promised this peace directly to his faithful disciples in the Upper Room on the night before he was to be crucified. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter what we’re facing or stressing over, the peace of Jesus reigns victorious.
This is why so many biblical writers invite you to hand it over to Him and free yourself from anxiety. How? By prayer and thanksgiving. Let’s look at Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This doesn’t mean that it’s “super simple” to never let stress get the best of you. Or, that being a believer means you won’t feel angst. I’m just suggesting that you can refill yourself with the promises of scripture when stress starts to weigh, or even break, you down. While Isaiah was wrestling with visions of a devastating global apocalypse, he reminds himself and you of God’s ability in Isaiah 26:3, saying:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Throughout the Proverbs and Psalms in the Old and New Testaments, we are encouraged to trust in Him, pour out our hearts to Him, and take refuge in Him. Through his son, Jesus, God says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Prayer won’t instantly erase your circumstances. But it can help you cast your cares at the feet of Jesus, allowing you to reframe your perspective. So that you can unburden your heart and hold on to the hope you have in Him. When worries escalate into stress, let them all out to the God who knows you best. Then you can receive the peace and rest you need to keep walking in His will for you.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I’m feeling a lot of stress lately. There’s always either so much on my mind, more physical ailments than I can handle, or too much on my calendar. I know I’m putting too much pressure on myself, but it’s hard to juggle taking care of my own health, caring for those I love, and meeting all my responsibilities at work and home.
I know you’ve given me this one earthly life, and I want to live it gratefully, not begrudgingly. Please help me unload the worries that stress me out, and rest anyway, amid uncertainty. Because I’m certain you can work all things for good. You can do more than any of my striving.
Show me, Lord, what you desire for my path. Help me hear your will for me each day, and please give me the strength to do what you desire, not what overloads or tears me down.
Please fill me with the reassurance of your inexplicable peace. I give it all to you, Lord, with a thankful heart.
I love you. Amen.
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