A Prayer for When You Are Anxious - Your Daily Prayer - January 9
A Prayer for When You Are Anxious
By Wendy van Eyck
I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me. - Song of Solomon 7:10
When I first read about the following prayer in a book by Brennan Manning called, “The Furious Longing of God,” I thought it sounded too simple but I gave it a try anyway.
I can’t remember the exact words Manning wrote but I remember reading something along the lines of, 'if you pray this prayer every day for one month it will change you.'
This prayer has changed me.
This 5-word prayer has become my "go-to" prayer anytime I feel anxious.
Driving to the oncologist to get scan results: Abba, I belong to you.
Waking in the middle of the night with concerns about work or finances: Abba, I belong to you.
Worrying over a relationship that is struggling to work: Abba, I belong to you.
Praying for a friend: Abba, [insert name of friend] belongs to you.
As I pray it I find myself remembering who God is: Big, mighty, good, merciful, loving, Abba.
As I pray it I find myself surrendering to who God is: In control, infinite, beyond comprehension, seeking my good.
As I pray it I find myself believing who I am: Human, living in forgiveness, valuable, beloved, desired by God.
Ponder: Are you willing to try praying this prayer every day for a month and see if it helps your anxiety?
Prayer: I exhale and inhale when I pray it as Brennan Manning suggested, but I’ve found my own rhythm:
Inhale: Abba
Exhale: I belong
Inhale: to
Exhale: you
I find the combination of breathing and words calm me. This makes sense to me because none of us are only physical or only spiritual. We are both, so why not use both to find peace when I'm anxious?
Editor’s Note: Portions of this devotional were taken from Wendy van Eyck’s devotional, How to Pray When You are Anxious. You can read that piece in full here.
Related Resource: 5 Things Parents Need to Tell Their Kids About War Right Now
When war dominates the headlines, parents are left asking an important question: How do we talk to our kids about it? In this episode of March or Die, Jeremy Stalnecker shares practical and biblical principles for guiding young people through confusing and frightening global events.
Drawing from his experience as a Marine who lived through the wars following 9/11, Jeremy explains why moments of global conflict can become powerful opportunities for parents to teach their children about courage, faith, and moral clarity. Rather than avoiding difficult conversations, parents can use them to help their kids understand fear, the reality of evil in the world, and the responsibility we have to stand for what is right.
This conversation explores how parents can alleviate fear, explain why conflict exists, and demonstrate a faith-filled response when the world seems chaotic. Jeremy also discusses the importance of teaching children the difference between necessary and unnecessary violence, why standing against evil matters, and how faith in God provides stability even in uncertain times. If this episode of March or Die helped your spiritual perspective, be sure to follow the show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
