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Anxiety, worry, and fear are emotions that millions of people endure daily but try to avoid. Most of them live with those feelings never admitting it to themselves or anyone else.
This is because the Bible continuously says "do not fear." We think it's wrong to be anxious or scared so we deny those feelings completely.
The problem with that is, Christians are not immune to anxiety, worry, or fear. If we were immune to it, God wouldn't have let phrases like "do not fear," "do not worry," or "do not be anxious," be written in the Bible so many times. Why tell us not to feel something that we're immune to feeling anyway?
The fact is God knew we would feel it. He knew that the enemy would constantly attack our minds, so He wanted to remind us that we can overcome it. He wanted us to know that there is hope despite the constant bombarding of fear, anxiety, and worry.
What is Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling that humans experience in response to stress. It is usually characterized by the following symptoms: fear, an impending sense of danger, restlessness, an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, trembling, sweating and trouble concentrating.
Like all of our emotions, anxiety has a purpose (i.e., it may signal that something important is about to happen and you need to prepare) and there are several surprising benefits of anxiety.
Anxiety can be both a mental issue and a spiritual issue. It can be caused by a physical change in the brain or by a spiritual attack from the enemy.
The good news is, just like it can be caused mentally and spiritually, it can be solved in both ways too.
If you think your anxiety may be a mental issue, make time to see a Christian therapist in your area. They are trained in effective ways to treat mental health conditions but devoted to God and anchored in faith-based principles. Sessions with a Christian therapist will help you overcome both spiritually and mentally.
If for some reason you're not ready to see a therapist, don't keep this to yourself. Tell a friend. Go to God in prayer for anxiety, tell Him how you feel, and believe that He will heal you.
Can Prayer Reduce Anxiety?
If you are wondering "can prayer reduce anxiety?," you will be happy to know that both secular research and the Bible says it does.
A review of 26 research research studies exploring how personal prayer affects health outcomes discovered that praying reduces anxiety as well as other negative health indicators such as depression. This was especially true for people who already had a religious faith and regularly practiced prayer. Similarly, they cited evidence that links pleading, bargaining, and passive prayers (such as wishful thinking) to poor health outcomes.
The above research also supports the Bible which reminds us to that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26) and what we ask for in prayer will be given to us (Mark 11:24), including relief from anxiety, panic attacks and other disorders.
10 Short Bible Verses Prayers for Anxiety & Worry
Here are 10 Bible verses you can pray when you're suffering from anxiety or are worrying. The prayers are perfect to pair with deep breathing to bring extra relief from anxiety.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Pray it - Dear God, I come to you in full transparency and admit I feel frightened and dismayed. Still, I know your Word is true God and I believe you are with me. Therefore, I will be strong and courageous in the midst of my trouble.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Pray it - Father God, I've been scared today. Fear overtook me for a while but I remembered what your Word says, it says you gave me a spirit of love, power, and self-control, not of fear. I will rest in that fact and believe that I can overcome this fear.
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Pray it - Lord Jesus, the anxiety in my heart has weighed me down but your Word says that a good word will make me glad. Please send me a good word today. Thank you for your love and for giving me hope.
Philippians 4:6-7
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.
Pray it - Jesus, your Word tells me not to be anxious about anything but to pray about everything so here I am Lord. While anxiety is trying to bring me down, I'm here at your feet asking for peace. You are the prince of peace and I know that through you I will have a peace that surpasses all understanding.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Pray it - Lord Jesus, thank you for caring for me. Today I cast all my anxieties on you for where I am weak, I know you are strong.
Isaiah 41:10 -
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Pray it - Heavenly Father, today I affirm that I will not fear because I know you are with me, I won't be dismayed for you are my God. I believe that you will help me, strengthen me, and uphold me with your righteous right hand.
Psalm 94:19 -
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Pray it - God. I've been anxious, worried, and fearful but your consolation has brought me joy. Thank you, Lord, I am grateful.
Matthew 6:25
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"
Pray it - Lord, I've been worried about my life and I've been anxious about the necessities of being human. Still, I know that there is more to life than this, and I know that you will provide all that I need. Help me to trust you more today
Psalm 34:4 -
“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
Pray it - Father God, every single time I felt fear, I came to you and you answered me, you delivered me. Today I feel fearful again Lord and I'm seeking you again. I know you will deliver me from this fear as well. I trust you and I know that what you've done before you will do again.
Psalm 34:17
"When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."
Pray it - Lord, the Bible says that I am made righteous through Christ. Today I'm crying out for help because I know you hear me. Please deliver me from this anxiety and from all my troubles like only you can. Thank you, Lord, for I know it is already done. Amen
These Bible verses and prayers can be downloaded for a gift of any amount (including free) below. Just click this sentence or the picture below. I recommend printing them on these Avery labels because they are the perfect size to keep in a wallet or wherever you store your identification.
Remember, God is with you. No matter what you're anxious or fearful about, He has the last word over it. As you pray to Him regarding your anxiety, trust Him to come through for you. He most certainly will.
Click the image to download these prayer card for a gift of any amount including free
Devotionals for Anxiety may provide you with further help in overcoming your anxiety. Below are a few recommendations; however, you can always search Amazon for additional recommendations here: Devotionals for Anxiety found on Amazon.
About the Author:
Corine Williams, Ph.D. is Clinical Psychologist that is currently seeing clients in the States of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. You can find out more about her practice by visiting www.therapyforchristians.com/corinewilliams. In addition to providing individual therapy, Dr. Williams is also passionate about writing books and designing merchandise that educate, uplift, and normalize mental health subject in the Christian community. You can find out more about her at www.booksbycorine.com or by visiting her amazon profile here: https://www.amazon.com/Corine-Hyman/e/B00AWZ5FL2
Help us increase mental health awareness in the Christian community by donating through our paypal link here: www.paypal.com/therapyforchristians, joining our mailing list by clicking below, or join our provider list here: Provider listing
Disclaimer: the information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are looking for a Christian counselor near you, please check out our directory located here: Christians Therapist Near Me
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