One of my recommendations to patients is to read scripture that talks about ways to deal with anxiety, then to pray those scriptures back to God.  Prayer is simply having a conversation with God.  But I have been asked by more than one person, how do I pray?  More specifically, how do I pray about anxiety?

Here is a basic pattern.

Here is a prayer that I was asked to write for a Christian radio station.  I hope it encourages you.

Breath of Heaven, 

We take time to breathe in your spirit and breathe out praise for the life you have already given us.  Lord, you know our anxieties and worries (Psalm 139:23), we bring them to you and trade them in for the gladness of your Word (Proverbs 12:25).  We choose not to be anxious, but in every situation, we ask and thank you for the peace you give us that goes beyond anything we can understand (Philippians 4:6-7).  We ask that your peace would guard our heart, that it would guard our minds when we are tempted to be overwhelmed with thoughts of what is going on around us and sometimes within us.  Father, we will look to You, where our help comes from, You who made the heavens and earth and preserve us as we go out and as we come in (Psalm 121:1-8).  Teach us to focus on things that are True, such as your perfect knowledge of every situation, those who are Noble and Admirable like first responders and essential workers, what is Right and Pure namely you Word shared by our pastors and teachers, and people that are Lovely like our neighbors who deliver meals to those in need. We thank you for the Praiseworthy efforts of doctors and researchers who have already been working on cures, and thank you for those who have been able to apply the blood plasma from those who have recovered to those in need of healing (Philippians 4:8).  We ask that You would continue to guide us and continue to touch our hearts to give to our neighbors at this time.  

In Jesus’ name, Amen.