When you’re feeling anxious, worry and fear take over. You can’t think straight. Everything feels like a threat. If this sounds familiar, you may be wondering what you can do to help. In this blog post, we will introduce you to Catholic prayer for anxiety and how it can help combat the fears that hold you hostage. We will also include a prayer specifically for worry and fear that you can use when life starts to feel overwhelming.
What is Catholic Praying For Anxiety?
What is Catholic Praying For Anxiety?
There are many things that Catholics pray for, but anxiety is not one of them. In fact, Catholic prayer specifically excludes petitions for physical healing or relief from pain.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that “mental prayer can include petitioning God for guidance and strength in facing trials and temptations” (CCC, n. 2266), but anxiety falls outside this category. Rather than asking for help with specific anxieties, Catholics may want to consider praying for help in dealing with general concerns or troubles.
This approach opens up a wealth of possibilities for addressing anxiety through prayer. For example, you might pray for courage during difficult times, peace of mind during turbulent ones, or protection from harm. You could also ask God to give you insight into problems and to help you make sound decisions. Prayer can be an effective means of self-care and support, so it’s worth considering how it might benefit your anxiety situation.
The Purpose of Catholic Praying for Anxiety
The purpose of Catholic praying for anxiety is to help Christians deal with fear and worry. Prayer can provide perspective and calmness, which can help reduce anxiety. Additionally, prayer can invite God’s grace and support in times of stress.
When people pray, they are connecting with their innermost selves and their Higher Power. Prayer helps us find peace even in the midst of turmoil. In fact, research has shown that taking time out to pray regularly can actually lower levels of anxiety and stress hormones in the body.
There are many different ways to pray for anxiety. One popular approach is called The Jesus Prayer, which goes like this: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” This prayer is especially helpful when we feel overwhelmed by our concerns or tempted to give up hope.
Another popular prayer is the Our Father, which begins with “Our Father who art in heaven” and ends with “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” This prayer is often used as a way to ask for forgiveness and gratitude for blessings in our lives.
Prayer can also be directed specifically at reducing anxiety symptoms. For example, you might say a prayer of consecration before going to sleep to ask God to protect you during the night. You could also recite prayers of thanksgiving after experiencing positive events or taking steps towards your goals.
Whatever form of Catholic prayer you use, be sure to include words of encouragement for yourself
How to begin praying for anxiety
If you suffer from anxiety, there are many ways to approach prayer for help. One way is to start by praying for peace. Saint Theresa of Avila recommended this practice: “Take a little time every day to give thanks for all the good that has come into your life, and ask God to keep you in His peace.” Once you have a sense of peace within yourself, you can pray for guidance in how to deal with your anxiety.
Anxiety can be paralyzing, so it’s important to find someone who will support you during this process. Finding a spiritual advisor can be very helpful, as they can provide guidance and support on finding resources like therapy or medication. If you don’t have anyone to turn to, consider joining an online prayer group or reading Catholic prayers specifically written for anxiety.
There are also specific prayers that Catholics say when they are struggling with worry and fear. The Our Father Prayer is one example: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name…. Thy kingdom come…. Give us this day our daily bread…. And forgive us our debts…. And lead us not into temptation….” These prayers are meant to offer comfort and hope during difficult times.
When starting out, it can be helpful to focus on one particular fear or worry at a time. This will help reduce the overwhelm that often accompanies anxiety attacks. Keeping a diary of your thoughts and feelings related to your anxiety
The Benefits of Catholic Praying for Anxiety
Catholic prayer for anxiety worries and fear can provide relief from those feelings. Prayer may be a simple way to connect with God, who can help you find peace. Catholic prayers for anxiety can also offer comfort in times of worry or fear.
Prayer may help you feel calm and in control. When you pray, you may discover that your worries are not as bad as you thought they were. In addition, prayer may increase your faith in God. This increased faith can lead to positive changes in your life, including decreased anxiety.
Some people find that Catholic prayers for anxiety help them deal better with stress in general. When you learn how to pray specifically for anxiety, it can become a way of life. Praying regularly may help reduce the amount of stress that you experience in your everyday life.
Conclusion
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.