Anxiety and Praying

Prayer is talking to God. No more, and no less. Many people think that they have to use ‘religious language’ to pray, to tell God what he wants to hear, and use long-winded sentences. Or only pray for ‘religious stuff’ and for others – that bringing our own needs, thoughts and feelings before God is somehow wrong, or selfish. Not so, come as you are and talk to God..

God cannot be disillusioned with you, as He never had any illusions in the first place: He knows you inside out, so there is little point in pretending to be anything other than yourself, or to try to put a ‘religious front’ on for God. The Bible says that the hairs on our head are numbered. That’s not to say that He knows the number of hairs on our head, but that each individual hair has a number. If He knows that, then He will know what goes on in our heads, and our thoughts and feelings, even if some of them are raw and negative. So be honest with God, tell Him where you’re at, as if you were talking to your best friend. Use religious language if that helps, but if it doesn’t, use everyday language. Tell him what’s on your heart, your hopes and fears: just the fact of sharing will help, that’s before any intervention by God to answer those prayers.

Many people find it useful to have a time set aside to pray – it is so easily squeezed out. The key to this is to find a time that works for you: some are early risers, some are better in the evening. Some need silence, some can pray in the car or on the train. In addition to a daily time, it is also good to be flexible, and if a situation comes up that is causing you anxiety, then it is good to pray about it then and there – even if the situation means that you can only have a second or two: bring the problem before God.

The flip side of talking to God is learning how to hear Him speak back. Most people find that this needs a degree of inner stillness. It would be odd to have a conversation with your best friend where only one person spoke, and then left once they had finished talking! Hearing God’s voice is something that takes time to develop, and waiting on Him. But it’s worth doing.

This is how Jesus taught us to pray

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and forever. Amen

A simple prayer:

Lord Jesus. Your are the ultimate reality. I'm sorry that I often live in a fantasy world, an unreality. Help me to be real, with myself, others and with you. I thank you and put my trust in you. Please come into my life. I know that you will always be at my side even when I am at my most anxious; I know that you will never let me down. Forgive me for the times that I have disappointed you. Guide me and teach me, fill me with your power, I pray for healing and peace in the love and assurance that you died and rose again. amen.