I often use investigation to combat fear. In case you’re equating me with the idiot in a horror movie who approaches danger, allow me to clarify. I’m not referring to poking my head inside the growling closet, but into a book. I research the facts to arm myself against fear. When anxious about raising my first child, I read all the parenting books I could find. After neighbors reported brown recluse incidents, a research paper dispelled my growing fear of spiders.
Education offers some relief from anxiety. Stress management techniques, cognitive monitoring, and exercise help, too. But another resource proves far more effective than all these tools combined. The most powerful weapon against fear is prayer.
To win the anxiety battle, we must fight from our knees.
Intense emotion can rob us of words. Anxiety often leaves people feeling lost while trying to pray. For those struggling with anxiety, Prayers for an Anxious Heart offers guidance. The heartfelt prayers connect with readers’ common worries and lead them on a journey toward peace. Crafted by six authors, the book provides a trove of beautiful prayers to last up to six months. Titles identify themes to relate to the reader’s need. A person in limbo might flip to “When Waiting is Hard.” The lonely soul might choose “Continually With You.” Another might seek “Help in Weakness.”
Each piece begins with a verse. The oft-quoted Matthew 6:34, “do not worry about tomorrow” provides the foundation for one prayer. Psalm 4:8 extends security to those suffering from insomnia with, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep.”
Prayers begin with a common personal dilemma, such as “Lord, when things get tough and I hear about disaster and suffering.” Many of us worry about similar things, but don’t recognize we share the same fears. When others empathize with our concerns, it alleviates our sense of isolation in fear.
After a cathartic prayer, the discussion concludes with hope. His Plans are Perfect, for example, ends with “You are preparing a glorious future, better than our most exquisite imagination.” The uplifting end follows the pattern reflected in many Psalms.
King David, often entitled the man after God’s heart, authored many of the Psalms when struggling with fear. He faced predators and stressors throughout his life, as a young shepherd, exiled warrior, and King. King David wrestled with sin and shame. His own son betrayed him. Through all the treacherous roads of his life, he wrote prayers and songs to the Lord. Most of these end with hope.
In addition to praying through the book of Psalms, I recommend Prayers for an Anxious Heart to all who struggle with worry. I’m even giving a copy away for free. You can purchase the book on Amazon or enter below to win this lovely compilation of prayers.
Click Here and Enter to Win!
Be Encouraged,
Tina
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
