Anxious

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Anxiety

Anxiety can be like a background noise in our lives, eroding our sense of peace.

At times it rises up like a storm wave that threatens to overwhelm us.

Photo: A window pane with rain trickling on the outside and a blurred outdoors behind

Jesus taught that no matter what our circumstances, no matter what we have done, or how we feel, God underpins our lives with a constant loving acceptance that can set us free.

Reflecting on the holding, affirming, and transformative good news of Jesus’ love, former Archbishop Rowan Williams wrote

“Do I have to keep God happy? No. Do I have to succeed in the world’s terms? No. Do I have to make absolutely sure that nobody else ever does better than I do? No. And something begins to blossom in the middle of all that, some kind of liberty from the myriad kinds of anxiety that drive us and cramp us and paralyse us sometimes in our lives."

What are the storms in your life causing anxiety today? Take a few minutes to tell God about it. You can say it aloud, write it in your journal, draw a picture to represent it, or simply think about it. How would you like God to respond?

Here's a simple prayer, say it with me

God, I am overwhelmed by the storms in my life.

Please help me to find peace today.

Thank you for loving me.

Amen.

Take time out

Take five minutes to listen to this immersive Bible meditation, where Jesus calms a storm. It comes from the Gospel of Mark, likely written for a non-Jewish audience (who weren’t familiar with the Jewish scriptures contained now within the Old Testament), and emphasised Jesus’ miracles.

We may not feel it, but even in the unimaginably dark places, God is with us.

Longer mediations on this theme are available on taketime.org.uk

Anchoring is a therapeutic process which helps you to break out of negative thoughts about the past or future, by focusing on physical sensations in the present.

Click here to explore more creative prayer cards.

Psalm 23 is a beautiful passage in the Old Testament expressing trust in God’s love and peace, even in difficult times.

Below is the Biblical text, and a version reworded to address God directly. Speak this prayer (aloud if you can). You could write it in your diary, or on a post-it, to repeat whenever you feel anxious.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me besides still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 23 addressing God directly

Lord, you are my shepherd, I shall not want.
You encourage me to lie down in green pastures;
You lead me besides still waters;
You restore my soul.
You lead me in right paths for Your name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in your house my whole life long.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.