Have you been looking for examples of prayers for stress? Keep reading for several encouraging prayers to pray when you are feeling the weight of stress in your life.
You know the feeling all too well – tight chest, quickened heart rate, difficulty catching your breath, and the overflow of thoughts running through your mind. Feelings of stress can be intense and a struggle to overcome when things feel out of control.
The good news is that you are not to be in control, and you have a Heavenly Father who is consistently in control of all things. So, what should you do when you feel stress and anxiety on the rise? Let’s delve into Scripture that will bring peace to your mind and prayers for stress when it rears its ugly head.
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9 Calming Prayers for Stress
What do you do when you feel the rise of stress in your heart and mind? When you feel the tell-tale signs of panic or anxiousness what do you do? So often we turn to a multitude of distraction techniques to try to outmaneuver the stress.
But is that fruitful? The best thing we can do when stress arises, is turn to one of these scripturally based prayers and let the peace of God replace our anxious thoughts.
Prayers for Stress at Work
Let’s jump into specific prayers you can memorize or alter to fit your needs or situation – starting with work. Colossians 3:23 (ESV) says,
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Let your prayers about stress at work, focus on the Lord and not on approval from man.
Prayer to decrease stress at work
Father, what a blessing it is to work. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work in the capacity you have gifted me. Even in my gratitude, Father, I need your peace. The stress of my job or this season feels too big for me to handle alone.
Therefore, I submit my work to you, recognizing my need to honor and glorify you in all I do. I pray that I focus on serving you in my work rather than seeking the approval of man. I pray that I stand as an example of godliness at work as I find my rest and strength in you and that you grant me peace. Amen.
Short Prayer for stress at work
Father God, help me to see you in every person and situation I experience at work! I pray that you will allow me to walk confidently and boldly in your name as I travel through my workday. Amen
Prayers for Home Stress
Even at home, stress can creep into our safe place. Below are a few short prayers for stress in the three main areas of home life. These are prayers for you or, in the spirit of community, sharable prayers for a stressed friend.
Prayer for Stress concerning your health
Jesus, Psalm 55:22 tells us, “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” So, in this weak state of my health (or the health of my loved one), I pray that your strength may abound. I pray for complete healing while asking for your will in this sickness. I trust you as the Great Physician.
Prayer for Stress concerning your finances
Heavenly Father, I recognize that everything I have is yours. I also acknowledge that even though I may see a lack, you supply my every need (Matthew 6:24-33). I ask for your help to be a good steward of the resources you have entrusted to me. Teach me to be wise, and lift my stress about money as my trust in you deepens.
Prayer for Stress concerning your family
Father, the stress of my family dynamics is taking a toll on my mind and body. Right now, I surrender my family and myself to you, asking for your grace and wisdom. I pray for you to help me to be loving and grace-filled, even if the situation tempts me to believe otherwise. Teach me to trust you with my relationships. Let love define these relationships instead of stress or anxiety.
Prayers for Stress and Anxiety
A great deal of anxiety comes from uncertainty about the future. Joshua 1:9 (ESV) says,
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
If the Lord is with you always, what do you need to stress over? Believers are commanded to be courageous, not frightened or dismayed. Where have you allowed anxiety and stress to take over? Read this prayer and remember whose child you are.
Prayer for stress about the future
Jesus, I confess that I have let stress and anxiety creep into my heart as I look at an uncertain future. I admit that it is not my job to know what the future may hold, but yours alone. Forgive me when I have tried to take control. I ask for your grace to pour over me and fill me with peace. Please help me to trust you even when I cannot see what is ahead. Ease the anxiety that ceases me, and allow me to rest in you. Thank you for meeting me and loving me where I am. Amen.
Prayer for stress and depression
Lord of all, your word is good. Your word is powerful. There is joy and peace in your word. Father, when I am tempted to be overwhelmed by the spirits of sadness and defeat, I am encouraged by your word! It is energy to my soul weary heart! I praise you for the moments when your word is revealed at just the right time! In Jesus’ name, Amen
Prayer for stress and anxiety
Lord in Heaven, I am in awe at the fact that the creator of the Universe is concerned with me! I am overjoyed and filled with praise to know that even when it feels lonely, I am not alone, for you are with me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer for stressful situations
Father, I thank you for inclining your ear to me. Right now I life up (List any issues that you may be struggling with) this situation is making me feel (be honest about what you are feeling i.e., scared, frustrated, hurt, helpless). I praise you for your comfort, your peace and your guidance in this situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen
We recommend checking out our popular post Prayer Journal Ideas: Prayer Journal Printables for your War Room Binder and grabbing one of our free printable prayer journals to pray these prayers consistently.
Also read: Praying for peace of mind: 21 Powerful and Encouraging Prayers for anxiety
Looking for more Guided prayers and resources to help you transform your prayer life? Check out all of our prayer resources for tips, guides, and printables to help you deepen your prayer life!
Signs of Stress
When you think about stress, what comes to mind? Stress can affect all aspects of your body, including your emotions, body, and behaviors. Without understanding the signs of stress, it might be hard to identify and combat it well.
Emotionally, when stressed, you can feel irritable, overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious. Physically, stress can cause a myriad of bodily responses. These symptoms can include fatigue, insomnia, panic attacks, headaches, chest pain, gastrointestinal issues, rashes, or weight changes. It is also crucial to understand that stress responses are not limited to these symptoms, as your body can respond to stress in unique or other ways.
When it comes to behavior, stress can affect how quickly or clearly you are able to make decisions or alter your memory and concentration. Stress can cause bad habits such as nail biting, jaw clenching, skin picking, over or undereating, smoking, or overspending.
If you are experiencing stress and notice it is affecting your body and responses, it is beneficial to seek medical or therapeutic help. You do not have to work through your stress alone, and the Lord created you to be in a community for support and encouragement in times of struggle.
Also Read:
How to Pray Against your Stress
As you approach your worry in a Biblical manner, you need to start with prayer. So, how do you begin to pray over your stress? You must pray at all times with humility and with honesty.
Pray Always
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) says,
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
You might read this verse and think it sounds easier said than done, but believers must pray and express thanksgiving at all times. These prayers are not flippant but prayers of confidence, believing that the Lord will grant you peace that surpasses the logic and understanding you could come up with on your own.
Pray with Humility
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) instructs,
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
As you approach the Lord in prayer, in the midst of your anxiety, you must come humbly before Him, acknowledging that you are not in control. Submitting yourself to the Lord allows you to surrender what you are trying to carry in your own strength that is not yours to hold.
Pray Honestly
Matthew 11:28 (ESV) is one of the sweetest verses in Scripture. It says,
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
As a mom, wife, and employee (as well as all the other hats you wear throughout the week), the labor or burden may feel heavy.
The beauty of this passage is that you can come as you are to the feet of Jesus and honestly lay before Him all that feels heavy. Allow him to give you rest as you surrender your burdens unto Him.
Repeat Prayers for Stress to Bring Comfort to an Anxious Heart
You no longer need to allow stress or anxiety to consume you. You have a Heavenly Father who loves and carries you in your weaknesses. As you experience moments of stress at your work or at home, find a quiet moment to submit yourself to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to lead and guide you, granting you peace as your trust deepens and grows.
Written By: Brittany Thieman
Being a working mom is challenging, and the pressure to “do it all” can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, we can learn from Scripture and from other moms to live out our callings while keeping the Gospel at the center of our homes.
My name is Brittany, and I work as a Director of Operations for a company and run a small business while raising my two young daughters and baby boy on the way. My husband is a pastor, and we just recently relocated from North Carolina to Texas for a new church position. The Lord has taught us much in this busy and tiring season. I hope to encourage other mamas in their journey toward pursuing Christ in the messiness, beauty, and fatigue of motherhood.
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