The Importance of Prayer - Lesson 4: Prayers Concerning Anxiety and Worry

Teacher: First Lady Mignon Holly

Resource: Guides For Living - cogicpublishinghouse.net


Central Verse:

Philippians 4:6   Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (KJV)

Philippians 4:6   Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (NIV)

• Ask in faith 
• Seek diligently 
• Knock expectantly 

Worrying- A feeling of uneasiness or being overly concerned about a situation or a problem. (Stress, Doubt, Fear, Attitudes, Murmuring, Complaining, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks.)

• False 
• Evidence 
• Appearing 
• Real 

Feeling of worry unease about something
Reaction to a situation perceived as stressful or dangerous

Discontent- Not content; dissatisfied; a restless desire or craving for something.

Careful- cautious in ones actions; attentive to potential danger; error or harm.


Jesus instructs believers not to worry or be anxious about the affairs in this life. Jesus understands the struggles of the people having making ends meet, paying, mortgages, and dealing with rising food and gas prices, high college tuitions, credit card debts, jobs, relationships, children, and the lists goes on. Matthew 6:25-34 “Take no thought”

Jacob prayer during his life threatening circumstances. Jacob had tricked his brother and ran away to his uncle in Laban, where he accumulated much wealth, wives, children, and servants. He returned to meet with his brother Esau. He sent servants to meet Esau and they found out that he was on his way to meet with four hundred men. When Jacob heard what Esau was doing, he became afraid and greatly distressed because he didn’t know if Esau would retaliate and cause his family harm. Because of his anxiety, Jacob prayed to god to help him and his family. Jacob reminded God that He had told him to return and that He would protect him. The believer can always remind God of His promises of care and protection when he finds himself afraid and in life threatening circumstances. Jacob admitted that he was not worthy, but he was grateful that God had always helped and blessed him. And now he needed God to help him again by delivering him at this time. Genesis 32:3-11

The prayers of David when he felt troubled and alone in the cave. When David was fleeing from king Saul and escaped to the cave of Abdullah, he founded him self surrounded around by people who was in distress, in debt, and discontented (1 Samuel 22). When the believers find themselves in similar situations, they must do as David did pour out their anguish or anxiety to their God. But instead, we feel like sometime we have to remain silent. No, God does not want us to be crybabies or complainers, but if we have a complaint tell him. His ears are always open to hear from his children and God desires the fellowship with us. So that brings us to prayer and this helps to build and maintain our relationship with God.


When the believer learns to rely on God, he won’t try to find just anyone to try to hear him, and he won’t become so offended when it seem to be no human to listen to him or help him. Man will always look on the outward appearance, but God sees your heart. Man cannot see your inward parts, your soul, emotions, memories, or your passions. (Philippians 4:6-7)

• Fully
• Rely
• On
• God 

There are four type of worriers: 
Mayday worriers - Crisis
Yesterday worriers - Past
Someday worrier - Future
Everyday worrier - Trapped in a cycle

Psalms 142
1 I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.


2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.


3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.


4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.


5 I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.


6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.


7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.



In the Chapter, David Feels:

• Trouble 
• Complaint 
• Overwhelmed 

Prayer For Anxiety

Dear Heavenly Father,

I need you now, Lord. I am filled with stress and anxiety. I invite you to come into my turmoil and take these heavy burdens from me. I have reached the end of myself with nowhere else to turn.

One by one, I consider each burden now and lay them down at your feet. Please carry them for me so that I don't have to to. Father, replace the weight of the burdens with your humble and gentle yoke so that I will find rest for my soul today.

Reading your Word brings so much comfort. As I focus on you and your truth, I receive your gift of peace for my mind and heart. This peace is a supernatural peace I cannot comprehend. Thank you that I can lie down tonight and sleep. I know that you, dear Lord, will keep me safe. I am not afraid because you are always with me.

Holy Spirit, fill me to depths with a heavenly calm. Flood my soul with you presence. Let me rest in knowing that you, God, are here and in control. No danger can touch me. There's nowhere I can go that you are not there already. Teach me how to trust in you completely. Father, keep me daily in you perfect peace.


In the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen