How Does Your (Spiritual) Garden Grow?

Everyone experiences some form of anxiety. For some of us, it’s a fleeting sense of apprehension or dread that passes quickly; for others of us, it’s a pervasive and persistent thing that threatens to take over our emotions and our lives and that exhibits itself in myriad ways. There are probably as many treatment options in the world of medicine as there are forms that anxiety takes in our lives.

And as with all forms of medical treatment, they tend to work best when accompanied and supported by prayer. So for anyone suffering from any form of anxiety, whether fleeting and temporary or a painful part of daily existence, I offer this Prayer for Times of Anxiety. And with it, I offer my own prayer for those who suffer, that they may find relief.

Father God, You know me inside and out, top to bottom, soul deep.

Father, right now in this moment, anxiety threatens my peace of mind and puts in front of me every possible worry and fear – and even some that might be impossible, but still make me uneasy and fearful.

Your Son told us that You count the hairs on our heads, that not even a single sparrow falls but You know and care about it, and that we are worth many sparrows.   

I am the single sparrow, Father, and I am falling, and my human weakness makes me so very frightened.

Blessed are You, Father, for You raise me up on angels’ wings; You bear me on the breath of dawn; You make me shine like the sun, and You hold me in the palm of Your hand. Blessed are You, Father, for You remind me, with this time of fear and anxiety, that I am called to trust completely in You and that I can and must do so.

Here I am before You, and I beg You to send Your Spirit of peace into my heart and soul. I give You my anxiety and fear, and I trust You to fill the space that it leaves in me with love and peace. Please, Father, give me the grace to always remember to turn to You in prayer when this monster, anxiety, raises its ugly face on my life. Please give me grace to pray and trust. I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus, who told us that what we ask of You in His name, You will always give us.

Amen.