seeking peace in the struggle with fear or anxiety

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To begin, find a space where you can be still and focus.

Then, follow the prompts below. When you reflect on scripture, feel free to look up a passage of your own or use the verses provided for you.

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Thanksgiving: Offer thanks to God. Thank him specifically for His provision and His promises.

Praise: Father, I praise you for your power and your love. You are present and active in this world, and you are sovereign over your creation. I praise you that nothing can separate me from your love in Christ Jesus. I praise you, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!

Reflect on Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV); Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV); Philippians 4:4-8 (ESV); John 14:27 (ESV)

²³When [Jesus] got into the boat, his disciples followed him. ²⁴And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. ²⁵And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” ²⁶And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. ²⁷And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

³You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. ⁴Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

²⁷ “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

The Lord’s Prayer: Walk through the prompts below, offering God your responses.

Help me submit to you, Father. I pray your will be done in my life and on earth as it is in heaven.

May my hope in you be the anchor for my soul—firm and secure. As I fix my eyes on you, give me perfect peace even in the midst of the storm. You are present with me. You sustain me.

You are the fullness of all that is lovely and pure and excellent and honorable and praiseworthy. Help me fill my mind with the right knowledge of you and imitate you with my thoughts, words, and actions.

Help me rest in your sovereignty, your supreme power and authority, and trust that no evil can thwart your plans for my good. Increase my faith where I doubt your sovereignty.

Thank you for not judging me for my fears or anxieties but for saving me from them. Help me see you rightly so that my shame is undone. May peace abound in the face of your power, glory, and grace.

As I pray and give thanks, may your unimaginable peace guard my heart and my mind.

Father, the world feels dangerous and unsure. Today, I feel anxious or fearful or unsure about these things: _____________________________.

Please help me lay these burdens at your feet. Thank you for being strong enough to handle all of my fears and worries. I trust you with them.

If there is an action I need to take in the face of fear or anxiety, please clearly direct me. Give me wisdom to walk in love. Give me courage to obey you. If you are for me, Lord, what could be against me?

Today, I have need. Please provide _____________________________. Thank you for being a good Father who cares for his children and provides all they need.

I confess I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sin of _____________________________.

Please help me forgive those who have sinned against me. Lord, because you have forgiven me, help me forgive _____________________________ for _____________________________. Thank you for forgiving my sins and empowering me to forgive others as you have forgiven me.  

Thank you for delivering me from all evil. Today, I ask you to deliver me from fear or anxiety or _____________________________ for you are my Everlasting Father, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.

May you be glorified in my life today and forevermore.

Thank you, God, that your kingdom is full of peace and joy, and that by grace and love, I belong to it.

You, O Father, are full of compassion and mighty to save! You are a good Father who will always take care of me. There is none like you. Thank you for saving me so I can share in your perfect peace.

Neighbor Prayer: Spend a moment praying on behalf of any neighbors God lays on your heart.

Suggested Neighbor Prayer for: worldly leaders, decision-makers, and advisors.

Lord, we pray for all those in authority over us in this world—including government officials and school leaders—and those who advise them. I ask you to reconcile each one to yourself. Give them wisdom and help them lead and serve with integrity, competency, compassion, clarity, and humility. Help them make the best, right decisions that please you.

Help me feel secure and peaceful not because of what people do but because of your work in this world. May your kingdom reign on earth as it is in heaven!

Say a special prayer for the authorities of this world who do not know Christ, that Jesus would reveal Himself to them and save them.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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If you would like to worship in song, here is a version of It Is Well With My Soul that I love. It makes me pay attention to the words, and Mahalia Jackson sings it like she means it.