An unprecedented and effective prayer for anxious hearts
A prayer for anxious hearts: today this article was inspired by a consideration that reached me via email from Eleonora. The continuing anxiety of life and living with an anxious heart. The first part of the article concerns the life of Eleonora. You too can write to paolotescione5@gmail.com and inspire a teaching of Christian life to share on the site.
"Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, submit your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4: 6-7). Growing up, I learned very early on that not much in my life would remain consistent and that the pattern of my life would include many changes and sometimes drastic changes. It didn't take long for a heart of anxiety to form in my life because there wasn't much in my life that I could run to to be safe.
For anxious hearts
As I got older, I ran to other things, other people, trying to fill a void in my heart that only God could fill. As a result, I was constantly anxious and depressed. But, after graduation, my eyes were truly open to my selfish existence and my deep desire to find something solid and safe. I realized that God was the security and peace I was looking for, even in the midst of change.
Change is only part of life. How we manage this change is where we will find out where our hope and sense of security lie. If the change is causing you worry or stress, you don't have to rush to other things or people to try to resolve your anxiety. You will always be disappointed, you will feel empty and even more anxious. You have to run to God.
A prayer for anxious hearts: Philippians 4: 6 tells us that we must not allow anxiety to overwhelm us, but instead we must come to God in prayer and cry out to Him with our requests, filled with a grateful heart knowing that He listens to us.
"Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanks, submit your requests to God." Nothing is too small when it comes to our prayers to God; He wants us to go to Him for everything! God not only hears our prayers; He responds by giving us his peace and protection.
Pray against anxiety
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus". God's peace is like nothing else this world can offer; it is beyond any human logic or reasoning. It promises to protect our hearts and minds when we dwell on our position in Jesus, as forgiven children of God. It is not only the Creator and sustainer of life, but it is our Heavenly Father who longs to protect and provide for us. When you are anxious, do you find yourself looking for other things or people to calm your heart? We must first learn to run to the throne of God and ask for His peace to invade your troubled heart as we face changes in our life that can lead to many unknowns and uncertainties. The Lord is faithful in bringing peace into our lives that will carry us through the storms of life when we are tempted to worry and live in fear.
Pray to God for grace
A prayer for anxious hearts: Father, my heart is filled with anxiety. Things seem so out of my control. I don't know what tomorrow will bring. But I know you are the author of my future. I trust that you hold my life in your hands. Help me grow in that confidence when I am tempted to fear the unknown. Holy Spirit, remind me to cry out to God when I'm afraid instead of looking to other things or people to try to distract myself from worry. As the scriptures encourage us to do, I throw all my anxieties on You, Lord, knowing that you take care of me because you are a good Father who desires to provide for my needs, both physical and emotional. I remind my heart at this time to remain grateful; Hear every request and every cry. I keep screaming for help. I raise my eyes and fix my gaze on my ever-present help in time of need. Lord, thank you for being a constant in my life. Thank you for being my rock solid when everything around me seems to shake. I choose to rest in Your peace, a promise you are faithful to keep. In the name of Jesus, amen.