7 Verses and Prayers to Read When You Feel Stressed
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Stress can be a good thing if it motivates us to get things done and to face the realities of our life. But stress can also hurt us when it builds up without resolution, when there seems to be no relief from the internal and external pressures of life.
Stress is to peace what darkness is to light, but we can find the greatest peace amid the most intense periods of our lives. In fact, we can only recognize a depth of rest in Christ – his shalom – when we know what stress feels like. God can restore our peace with his steadfast presence and the truth of his Word.
Here are seven verses and prayers to read when you feel stressed.
1. Not In the Earthquake
“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-12).
Father,
It feels like earthquakes and strong winds are exploding all around me. My world is not safe. When will the stressors let up? I just want to run away. But you, Lord, have called me to stand still and wait and listen. I need your patience and strength, Father; help me to stand still and switch off the racing thoughts in my head so I can hear you whisper to me with your gentle, Fatherly voice.
Let me hear that I am not condemned by you; stress is not some form of punishment. Right now, the other voices – of rejection, criticism, anger, pressure – are so loud. If you are humbling me, please let it be so that I can curl up, small and meek under the cacophony, to hear your low, authoritative voice coming to find me.
Amen.
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2. Running into Stress
“I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice” (Jonah 2:2).
God,
Forgive me when I not only run from stress, but ignore your direction, making things worse for myself and others. In my desperation to avoid trials, you sometimes have to take drastic measures to separate me from my comforts and redirect my steps.
If I had just stayed and done what you told me to do, I wouldn’t be in this current pickle. You will do what it takes to get my attention and put my life on course for your glory and my good. If the intense circumstances of my life are a result of my own avoidance and your mercy, give me eyes to see and boldness to put my head down and charge back into the fray.
You know how much I have contributed to my own hardships right now by trying to avoid hard things and disobeying you. Lord, you are so determined to hold me fast: help me to see the richness of your love and truly recognize my need for you.
Amen.
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3. No Faith in Yourself? Good!
“’Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man’” (Judges 6:15-16).
Almighty God,
Even though I am uncomfortable when you humble me, I think that is what I need right now – to realize how small I am and how big you are. I am trying to be my own hero instead of letting you be the omnipotent giant killer you are. Every stressor in my life feels like a colossal warrior bearing down on my tiny self, with my tiny abilities.
I don’t need you to puff me up with greater confidence; I really need you to get in front and win the battle for me. And not only do I want to get behind you and follow you into whatever battle is causing me stress (even if the battle is an internal one, where I have to face my thoughts and perceptions), but please would you show me which fray is mine to face?
After all, Lord, you told Gideon you would be with him in conflict according to your plan, where Gideon would not have gone otherwise, whether as leader or compliant warrior. Not every battle is a righteous one.
Amen.
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4. Hit And Run
“So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple” (John 8:59).
Dear God,
I am facing a difficult situation, Lord: telling someone the truth. I have told her before, and will probably have to tell her again, but she does not get the message and her behavior is hard on others. I have been gentle and understanding, but at some point I will have to become firmer, and it will not end well.
She refuses to hear me and to take responsibility for her actions. Those same people who complained about her will join in giving me the cold shoulder and whispering about me behind my back. For a time, it could feel pretty uncomfortable in their midst as they grow silent when I approach, or drop small, passive aggressive statements around me like stink bombs.
Meanwhile, you have made my commission clear – do not return evil for evil – but do I need to let myself get emotionally pummeled, or is there a way out? Is there a point to my efforts? Will anything change, or am I just setting myself up for unnecessary punishment and even lies being told about me? I know this is not the last time I will be hurt for doing what is right. Lord, please give me the courage to face an emotional attack when there is no other choice according to your perfect plan.
Amen.
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5. Regret and Sleeplessness
“Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him” (Daniel 6:14).
Lord,
I did something I wish I could change, and someone else is paying the price. I would do things differently if it were possible; I thought I was doing the right thing at the time. As always, the results are in Your Sovereign hands: please deliver those who will be affected by my short-sightedness.
Father, whatever happens, I will have to cope with the weight of responsibility. I need your help to avoid trying to scapegoat, diminish, or become defensive. After all, I won’t sleep tonight, which gives me time to be inventive. No. Lead me to confession, repentance, and humble prayer during the long, restless night ahead. Teach me how to handle myself better in future, with more wisdom, compassion, and foresight.
I could waste these long, anxious hours. But you, Lord, are merciful, even when we are foolish. Anxiety might keep me awake, but let your faithfulness and forgiveness be the comfort that calms my breathing and leads me into prayers that align with your will and lead to personal transformation.
Amen.
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6. Maintaining a Good Reputation
“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman” (Ruth 3:11).
Dear Father,
Right now, God, the temptation to do the easiest thing for relief from these struggles is very strong. I am anxious about how the situation is going to turn out, and I need help. But the “help” in front of me involves compromising my belief in you; in the values you have taught me.
I want to be like Ruth; to hold on until you provide the promised, redemptive solution to my circumstance. But I am weak. You, Lord, are strong! Isaiah 41:10 says that you will “uphold me with your righteous right hand.”
Your Son Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, lives in me. Father, I just need to get out of this anxious, foggy thinking long enough to step away from the door to temptation. Without your Son in my life, without his redeeming and restoring resurrection power, I would definitely take the easy and short-sighted road to relief from stress which would also lead to regret down the road. I am so grateful that you are my God, offering to hold me fast for the long haul. Because if the wait is long, I will need to pray this prayer again.
Amen.
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7. Not My Will
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Lord,
Let me remember that Christ faced the greatest stress felt by anyone in history and he went to you with that stress. He got on his knees and cried out to you. Please, Lord, strengthen my faith so that I can echo Christ’s own cry “not my will, but yours be done.” I know that you might not take away the stressors in my life, but I want to trust you so much that I am willing to follow the path you choose for me.
If you allow me to continue facing whatever is in front of me, Lord, remind me of your constant presence. If you allow me to endure pressure, strengthen me with your own strength. If you choose this trial for my life, show me how you are growing me in maturity and do not let me succumb to despair.
Amen
Sovereign Lord,
Father, when I recall stressful events in my life and think about the person I was, I can’t help but notice how much you have transformed me. I’m calmer in the middle of a battle, but not perfect. With that transformation comes greater humility and awareness of how much work is still to be done in my heart and mind – work You will do and are doing.
And, as I open my eyes to the world around me and the people in it, I know that things will get worse before they get better, according to your teaching (Romans 5:3-4). In this training ground of regular life, let your teaching take hold so firmly that it will prove strong when I’m faced with even worse stressors as a Christian sharing the gospel in a world that is increasingly hostile to gospel truth.
In your Son’s name,
Amen.
Source
https://www.insightforliving.ca/read/articles/gideon-and-conquering-insecurity
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