A few years ago, my struggle with anxiety began with a panic attack. Since that moment, I have not had another full-blown panic attack, but I have struggled with anxiety. Some days the anxiety is very low. Other days the anxiety is so great that it is difficult to move.
What am I anxious about? Some days there is a clear and present anxiety. Other days there seems to be no reason for the anxiety. But it is still there, causing a great fear of . . . nothing.
Today is one of those days. There is plenty of cause for anxiety. I am anxious for a dear friend who is deeply struggling. I am anxious about an impending conflict with another friend. I am anxious about the decisions I must make. I am anxious that I may never be enough for the people who need me most.
As I lay in bed, my heart pounds and my head swirls. At one and the same time, I feel a great pain in the pit of my stomach, and yet I also feel numb.
I try to take each thought captive as the Apostle Paul encourages us in 2 Corinthians 10:5, but the attack is relentless. As my mind races, Philippians 4:6 comes front and center, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.”
I try to put a prayer into words, “Dear God, thank you for your presence in my life. I am feeling very anxious about so many things, please help me.” Then I list off all the things I am feeling anxious about, but as I do the anxiety seems to grow.
I pray again and then again and then again: “God help me in and through my anxiety.”
As I work to put off my anxious thoughts, I work to put on the Word of God. I open up the Psalms and begin reading. A few Psalms have become a balm to my soul. Psalm 46 has become one of those Psalms.
I begin to read. Psalm 46 is rather short, so I read it again. And then again. Only this time I pause after the first four words and pray. And then after the next two. Then after the next line. Word-by-word, line-by-line I make Psalm 46 my prayer to God.
God is our refuge
Dear Father, thank you for being a refuge. Thank you for being a safe place I can run to when the danger seems near or fear seems to take hold. Help me seek my refuge in you. Help me learn what it means to seek my refuge in you. Thank you for the anxiousness I feel right now because it is causing me to seek refuge in you.
and strength
Father, I have no strength left. I feel weak and in despair. I thank you that my strength comes from you, and you have an unlimited supply of strength. Help me give up any pretense that I have adequate strength to handle the current crisis swirling in my mind. Help me to depend on your strength and trust you to carry me through.
a very present help in trouble
God, I am experiencing a very present trouble. I trust that you will bring help. Help me see the help you provide. I ask that you take all this anxiety away. I pray you resolve this situation with my friend. I pray you make this confrontation unnecessary. I pray you help me know that all the decisions I make are the right ones. But Father, I also pray that if you choose to help me in other ways, I will see that too. Help me not miss your help because I am too busy telling you how to help. Open my eyes to see your help and to receive your help, no matter what form it may arrive.
Therefore we will not fear
God – right now – I am fearful. Help me not to be afraid. God help me see what I am afraid of and consider that fear in light of the truth of your word. I confess, Father, my fear is a fear of man. Help me not be afraid of what other men think or say about me. Help me not be afraid of what other men may do to me. I confess that sometimes I am more afraid of man than I am of you. Lead me to not fear man or what man can do to me. May I fear you only.
though the earth gives way, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Father, right now the world seems chaotic and out of control. I feel unsettled and unsure of what to do; please set my feet upon the rock of your word. Help me set my gaze upon you just as Peter did when he was walking on the water (Matthew 14:28). In these moments, when I look at the wind and waves of this world, help me cry out to you and trust you for your help.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High
God help me to set my eyes on what is eternal, not that which is temporary. Help me set my mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth (Colossians 3:2). When my gaze goes to the things of the world, please lift my eyes upward towards heaven.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved
Father, I trust that you are sovereign. Help me in this moment when I am feeling anxious and afraid to remember that you are in complete control of everything that is happening. I know you are working all things – even this anxiousness – for your good, but sometimes I lose sight of that truth. Help me rest in your sovereign hand over my life.
God will help her when morning dawns
As I walk through the long dark night of the soul, precious Father, help me not lose hope. Help me remember that I have victory in and through Jesus Christ and that nothing can separate me from your love (Romans 8:39-39); and therefore, there is always hope. Father, I do not feel very hopeful right now, so I ask for hope.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts
God, I know you are all-powerful and there is nothing you cannot do. The most powerful nations and the most expansive kingdoms dissolve with a simple word from your mouth. Help me trust in your strength. Remind me of your great power to handle any and every situation I may face.
The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Father, I thank you that you are near (Philippians 4:5). I thank you that you have drawn near to me through your son Jesus, so that I am able to come to you and find rest. Help me remember your promise that you are always near (Philippians 4:5). Help me remember your promise that you will reach out to me in the midst of my distress (Psalm 40:1).
Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
Father, help me remember your wonderful works throughout history. You divided the Red Sea, you made the earth stand still, you took out a giant with a single stone, and you rescued your people from a seemingly invincible foe. You sent your Son to become one of us, sent him to die on our behalf, and then raised him from the dead. Help me to remember what you have done, so that I will trust in what you can do.
Be still, and know that I am God.
Oh God, right now my mind is swirling and my body is shaking. Help me to be still. Help my body calm down. Help my mind to settle. Help me to know you in this moment so that I can be still. I know you are God. I know you are more powerful than anything I might fear. I know you are more comforting than anything affliction. But I am prone to doubt. Help me know you, so that I might be still.
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
“Oh Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:1)! Lord, may I exalt and magnify your name in my life. May you be the biggest thing in my life. Help me ascribe to you the glory due your name in the world around me (Psalm 96:3). Help me, Father, take my eyes off the things in this world, so that I can rightly worship you!
The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah.
Father, I thank you that you are right here with me. I thank you that you are protecting me in this very moment. Forgive me for doubting. Forgive me for believing that my problems are bigger than your solutions. Help me in this moment to trust in you. Help me in this moment to remember you are with me. Help me in this moment to know that you are protecting me. And help me not to be anxious.
I hope my prayer may help you “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God,” so that, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.” There are numerous passages of Scripture you can pray through as you are anxious. Mine is often Psalm 46. Maybe yours is another Psalm or a teaching of Jesus in the gospels, or a prayer from Paul’s letters. Whatever it may be, I pray that as you take your anxieties to Jesus, he will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
All Scriptures: The Holy Bible : English Standard Version
(Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001).
Ed Willougbhy 