Peace & Proverbs

"Do not be afraid of sudden panic. . . for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” - Proverbs 3:25-26, NRSV

Anxiety is experienced by every human at some point in their lives. However, for some, anxiety is an everyday occurrence that interferes with their lives. In these instances, it is important to address not only the spiritual needs of a human being, but one’s emotional and physical needs too.

In the midst of anxiety, we can be assured that the Lord is watching out for us. We are instructed in the book of Proverbs to trust that, “. . . the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught”. While we have fallen bodies and minds, and clinical anxiety may be our reality, it is important to remember that the Lord is with us in the midst of our anxiety. A great prayer to call upon in times of distress is the Prayer to the Holy Spirit. The next time you feel a sudden wave of panic, try praying this prayer and see what the Holy Spirit does for you.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Replace the tension within me with a holy relaxation.

Replace the turbulence within me with a sacred calm.

Replace the anxiety within me with a quiet confidence.

Replace the fear within me with a strong faith.

Replace the bitterness within me with the sweetness of grace.

Replace the coldness within me with a loving warmth.

Replace the night within me with Your day.

Replace the winter within me with Your spring.

Straighten my crookedness.

Fill my emptiness.

Dull the edge of my pride.

Sharpen the edge of my humility.

Light the fires of my love.

Quench the flames of my lust.

Let me see myself as You see me,

That I may see You as You have promised,

And be healed according to Your word.

Amen

- Unknown Author *

In Christ,

Lauren

*I was unable to identify the author of this prayer! I was first introduced to it in college. If you know the author, please let me know.

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All scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible

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