SkiesPrayer
A prayer for anxiety and worry
Honest words for an anxious mind, and a short breath prayer for the hard moments.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests 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
The Bible’s answer to worry is to bring it to God: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6), and “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Name the worry, hand it to God, and ask for his peace.
Pray
Father, my mind won’t be still. You know every worry before I say it: [name it].
I can’t carry this, so I give it to you. You care for me. Guard my heart and my thoughts with your peace, the peace that doesn’t depend on everything being solved.
Show me the one next thing I can do, and help me leave tomorrow with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A breath prayer for anxious moments
Breathe in slowly and pray: “Lord, you care for me.” Breathe out and pray: “I give you this.” Repeat it five times. A short prayer you can say anywhere is often the one you will actually pray.
Prayer and help belong together
Anxiety is common, and it is not a lack of faith. If worry is shaping your days, your sleep or your body, please talk to a doctor or counsellor as well as praying. In the US, if you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 now; if you are in immediate danger, call 911. Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
Scripture behind this prayer
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
Questions people ask
What is the best Bible verse for anxiety?
Philippians 4:6–7 and 1 Peter 5:7 are the two most loved: bring every worry to God in prayer, with thanks, and his peace will guard your heart and mind.
Is anxiety a sin?
No. Feeling anxious is part of being human; in Gethsemane Jesus himself “began to be deeply troubled and distressed” (Mark 14:33). Scripture invites us to bring our anxiety to God, not to hide it.
