Honesty is a key ingredient to relationship with God.
Prayer isn’t about perfect theology — it’s about radical honesty.
Common Myth: Anxiety is bad
Anxiety isn’t the problem — our response to it is.
Bottom Line
God invites us to bring all our fears and anxieties to him.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
A Threat to the Body
Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am faint;
heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
Psalm 6:2–3
My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.
I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.
My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
Psalm 38:5-7
A Threat to the Future
“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
Psalm 77:7-8
A Threat to Safety
Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
Psalm 56:1-3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3
A Threat to Relationship
Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?
Psalm 88:14
Even my close friend, someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
Psalm 41:9
A Threat to Provision
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
Psalm 23:1
A Prayer Process for When You're in a Panic
- Name it
- Source it
- Bring it
- Entrust it
Action Steps
Prayer: create some prayerful space to reflect on your experience with anger
- How were you taught to relate to fears & anxieties during your first formation?
- What kinds of threats do you tend to get most anxious about? Why is that?
- What fears & anxieties are speaking the loudest in your life right now?
Practice: take something you’re anxious & fearful about and work the steps
- Name It — identify any anxiety or fear you’re experiencing in life right now
- Source It — discern the threat that is driving your fear & anxiety
- Bring It — bring it to God without fixing it and listen for God’s voice
- Entrust It — place the threat in God’s hands with faith-filled trust
