Why God Gave Us Anxiety (+ How to Pray When You’re Anxious!)
The Bible tells us 365 times not to fear. That’s a daily reminder from God! But does this mean He doesn’t care about what worries us? Not at all! In fact, God designed anxiety as a signal—not just to warn us of danger, but to prompt us to pray.
You Weren’t Meant to Carry Your Burdens Alone
Prayer is simply talking to God just like you would a friend–except this friend has the power to move the mountains in our lives, and He wants too. That’s why He tells us not to be afraid so many times. Each reminder is an invitation to trust Him. Even when life feels chaotic, God knows your situation, how you got there, and how He will use it for His glory.
In Matthew 6:31-34, Jesus put it this way:
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
No worry is too big or too small for God. Whether your crisis is unexpected or self-inflicted, He wants you to bring it to Him. You were never meant to carry it alone.
A Biblical Guide to Praying Through Anxiety
In Philippians 4:6-7, the Apostle Paul gives us a step-by-step approach to prayer when we feel anxious:
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation” Paul constructs his sentence in this specific way to emphasize that there is nothing too big or too small for our God. Not only can our Heavenly Father do the impossible, He genuinely wants to hear about every little thing weighing on us.
- “by prayer and petition” Be specific in your conversations with God. Tell Him exactly what’s bothering you and what you need. He may see a better solution than what you ask for, but being honest about your situation is part of surrendering to His will.
- “with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Praise Him for how He’s shown up in your life before and assure your soul He’ll show up again.
When you pray in this way, Paul promises this:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The word “guard” is a military term, meaning God’s peace stands watch over your heart, protecting you from fear and anxiety. Paul wrote these words while under house arrest, facing possible execution. If he could find peace through prayer, so can we.
Your Next Step: Give Your Worries to God
When anxiety creeps in, don’t spiral—pray. God wants to hear from you, carry your burdens, and walk with you through the storm.
This post is inspired by message three of our “40 Days of Prayer” sermon series entitled, “How to Pray in Times of Crisis” by Dr. Jody Ray.