Anxiety is a common experience in today's world. If you feel overwhelmed and exhausted from trying to manage everything, there is something powerful you can do to pause and center yourself: pray.
When dealing with anxiety, prayer can be a purposeful method to find peace and clarity. Praying regularly can help you learn to trust God with your worries and relinquish control.
Experiencing anxiety is a common human experience. However, there are things we cannot control, and it is important to trust in God to handle those things. The Bible offers guidance on praying during anxious times.
“Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Short Prayers for Anxiety
Here are our favorite prayers to help you seek God's refuge and peace in times of anxiety:
Prayer for Peace
Heavenly Father, I come before you in the midst of my anxiety. Please grant me your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help me to trust in your plan and to cast my anxieties upon you. Calm my restless heart and fill me with your comforting presence. Amen.
Prayer for Trust
Lord, I acknowledge that you are in control of all things. I surrender my fears and worries to you, trusting that your love is greater than my anxieties. Strengthen my faith and help me to rely on you completely. Amen.
Prayer for Strength
Gracious God, when anxiety overwhelms me, give me the strength to face each day. Remind me of your promises and help me to stand firm in your truth. Grant me the courage to overcome my fears and to find refuge in your unfailing love. Amen.
Prayer for Patience
Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. — St. Teresa of Ávila
Bible Prayers for Anxiety
Psalm 23 Prayer
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.
Philippians 4:6-7 Prayer
"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."
Heavenly Father, I bring my anxieties to you, knowing that you care for me. In everything, with prayer and supplication, I present my requests to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.
A Prayer for Trust in the Lord
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. — Jeremiah 17:7-8
Prayer to Lift My Eyes to God
"I lift up my eyes to the hills—
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth." ~ Psalm 121:1-2
Famous Christian Prayers for Anxiety
Several famous Christian prayers are often turned to for comfort and peace in times of anxiety. Here are a few well-known prayers:
The Serenity Prayer
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference."
The Prayer of St. Francis
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy."
The Jesus Prayer
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
The Our Father (The Lord's Prayer)
"Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. Amen."
A Celtic Prayer of Peace
Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm; still me, Lord, keep me from harm.
Let all the tumult within me cease, enfold me, Lord, in your peace.
More Prayers for Anxiety and Fear
Browse the rest of our collection of prayers for times of anxiety, fear, and mental stress:
Prayer for Times of Anxiety
May Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
help us to make the right use
of all the suffering that God sends
and to offer Him the true incense of our hearts;
for His name’s sake.
Source: Johannes Tauler, d. 1361
Father of Mercy, Come to My Help
Almighty God, Father of mercies and God of all comfort
come to my help and deliver me from this difficulty that besets me.
I believe, Lord, that all trials of life are under your care
and that all things work for the good of those who love you.
Take away from me fear, anxiety, and distress.
Help me to face and endure my difficulty
with faith, courage, and wisdom.
Grant that this trial may bring me closer to you
for you are my rock and refuge,
my comfort and hope, my delight and joy.
I trust in your love and compassion.
Blessed is your name,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and forever. Amen.
A Prayer for Anxiety and Depression
Father, my heart is heavy. I feel like I have to carry the burden alone. Words like overwhelmed, distraught, and exhausted seem to describe where I am. I am not sure how to let you carry my heavy load, so please show me how. Take it from me. Let me rest and be refreshed so that my heart won’t be so heavy in the morning. In Jesus’ name. Amen. – Ron Moore
Prayer of Surrender by Ignatius of Loyola
When feeling stressed or worried, say this prayer to remind yourself that everything comes from God, and everything can be returned to Him.
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
My memory, my understanding,
And my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
That is enough for me.
A Prayer for Trusting God
Father, in the midst of my stress and panic, please open my eyes. Show me what You are doing. Remind me that You are greater than all those who are against me. Help me see where You are at work and give me Your joy and encouragement. In the Name of Jesus, who is for me, I make this prayer, Amen. — Mary Southerland
A Prayer for Letting Go of Worries
Heavenly Father,
Lately, I’ve been so worried about things that are out of my control. Help me to trust that you are working every little detail of my life out and that I have nothing to fear or worry about.
In Jesus’s name, Amen.
A Prayer for Hope
Dear Lord,
I am your humble servant and I kneel before You today, helpless and weak.
I need Your hope for love, kindness and for a better life, Lord.
I ask that You fill me from head to toe with Your everlasting light.
Bathe me in Your glory, Lord and show me that everything is according to Your plan.
Help me walk in Your glorious light and show me the path so that I may follow You in faith.
Amen.
A Prayer to Soothe an Anxious Heart
Dear Lord, I thank you for always being available for any reason. I’m grateful that when I pray to You, You answer me. Help me to come to You at the beginning of my fears and anxieties instead of waiting until I can’t stand them anymore. The quicker I come to You, the better. You want to free me from ALL my fears. Help me look to You for help more often so that I can be radiant with Your joy. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. — Jennifer Heeren
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This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
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