Have you prayed to God about your anxious thoughts and depressive moods and felt like He wasn’t listening? There is a reason for that. The Bible teaches us how to pray and what we can expect when we pray. Once you understand how prayer works you can pray effectively and see answers. In this article, I will be teaching specifically about how to pray for help with anxiety.
Matt 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
This is just one scripture telling us not to worry or be anxious. This command is all through the Bible. Do not be deceived, anxiety is a sin. This may sound harsh, but it is the way through. When we realize that it is only faith that pleases God and that worry and anxiety is the opposite of faith, we can confess and be cleansed and receive help to overcome this sin.
Psalms 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;
Many Christians consider worry to be a virtue. They believe that by worrying they are showing their love and concern for others. This attitude is dangerous. They are cherishing the sin of worry, cherishing the lack of faith in God’s goodness. The Lord will not listen when you have this attitude, as he says in James 1:6-8 we should ask in faith with NO doubting for the one who doubts will receive nothing from the Lord.
Gen 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
We may believe that we are doing what is right, but not according to God. When we have the wrong thoughts and attitudes, sin is at our door to tempt us and deliver us to evil. We are meant to rule over the sin of anxiety. The first step of deliverance is to acknowledge God’s ways and truth. To love His word more than our own thoughts and feelings.
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
God heals us when we are humble enough to say to God, “Your way is right even when I don’t understand it. I will agree with your word even when it hurts me. Be humble enough to acknowledge to God that this is a sin you need to be cleansed from. Tell Him you need His help to escape the temptation to worry. Ask for the Holy Spirit to remind you every time you are tempted. He is always ready to cleanse you from worry no matter how many times in an hour you fall. Keep yourself connected to Him.
Mattew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
This scripture lets us know that by being aware of our sin, looking for the triggers to that sin, and praying for help to not fall into the temptation we an achieve victory over worry and anxiety. Jesus came so He could be acquainted with our weaknesses. He knows all the wiles of the enemy and how to win. He will help you when you begin in truth, the truth that this is sin and you need Him to cleanse you.
Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
So when you pray, begin with acknowledging that we have a loving Father God who is holy. His holiness is what we are growing into. This God desires our earth to be filled with the kingdom of heaven. In heaven there is no fear, anxiety or worry. Here on earth we should be bringing that heavenly aspect into our lives. We are seated in heavenly places now with Christ Jesus. The Kingdom is here, with us. We need to confess everything that does not line up with the kingdom. We need to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to stay out of temptation and be delivered from the evil one.
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Our prayers will not be effective and powerful if we are not righteous. We are made righteous by confessing our sins. Yes, anxiety is a sin, it is not found in God or in heaven. It is not holy. By confessing we make a way to be healed, by being humble we allow God to work in us to change us into the very image of His son.
Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
So, when we pray we must not neglect thanksgiving. This is the part of prayer that keeps us in faith. Instead of worrying, tell God your concerns. Once you have prayed give thanks to God for his answer to your prayer. Every time you are reminded of your worry, pray and thank God for the answer. Let Him know that you have already prayed and you are trusting Him to take care of the situation. By doing this you will receive the peace of God which will guard you thoughts and your emotions to keep you from the temptation to worry.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
We can have confidence that God hears and answers our prayers. He will give us the things we need to overcome the enemy. He will help us not fall for the snare of our enemy. He will help us to cleanse our minds and will create a right spirit within us. He has given his word to discern our thoughts and feelings correctly. His mercy is always new and knows no end. His love endures through any struggle we can face. He knows us better than we can know ourselves. When we follow His word, we know we will have our answer. Be bold, go to the throne of grace, confess your weakness, and receive His strength. Believe you have received the help you need and thank Him for His goodness all the time. This is how we should pray about our anxiety and worries.
Holy Father, I thank you for your love and mercy to me. I am struggling with the sin of anxiety. I desire to trust in you and not in my own understanding. Please cleanse me and deliver me from the temptation to worry. Show me the snares my enemy has laid out to trap me. Lead me in Your word which will increase my faith in Your goodness. I thank you for the Holy Spirit which will guide me in the path of righteousness. Help me listen only to your voice. I am grateful that You sent your son so that I may have my prayers answered and have confidence in my relationship with You, the Almighty God. When I begin to doubt, help me to remember this prayer. Remind me to come to you in faith and that you have heard my request and have already answered me. I pray this in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.