If you are currently struggling with anxiety, you can find assistance in some Catholic prayers, devotions and other activities. These can help calm your mind by bringing you closer to God’s peaceful presence. They lead you to greater trust in God’s love, providence and protection and give you a sense of the consoling love of God.
You may want to try the following prayers, devotions and practices to help overcome your anxiety:
1. Prayers and Devotions
The Holy Rosary
As you pray and meditate upon the mysteries in Christ’s life, you will develop a deeper trust in God’s love and providence.
Reciting the prayer vocally and following each bead enables you to focus and keeps you grounded in God’s holy presence.
Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary will be with you and you will soon discover that you are not alone in whatever you are going through.
Divine Mercy Chaplet
This prayer is recited using the same beads as the rosary although the prayers will be different. In this devotion, you will be immersed in God’s Divine Mercy.
As you pray and reflect on the compassion and mercy of God, you will find it easier to surrender to Him your worries and concerns.
Prayer to St. Dymphna
St. Dymphna is the patron saint for those who suffering from mental distress such as anxiety. Following is the prayer to invoke her intercession:
Good Saint Dymphna, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need. (Mention it.) Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request.
(Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.)
Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
2. The Sacraments
The Holy Mass and receiving Communion
The Eucharist gives us strength. It nourishes our souls. As we face the troubles of each day, we need this heavenly bread to help us overcome our difficulties and continue in our journey in life.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacramental
To be with Jesus – to spend some quiet time before Him, pouring out without fear all that we feel and think, this is a blessing that can never be completely expressed in words. We must experience it ourselves. In times when we feel lost, anxious or afraid, let us go to Jesus and kneel before the Blessed Sacrament. He will listen to the cries of our hearts.
Confession
When we have unconfessed sins and the weight of their guilt has become a burden too heavy to bear, we can always go to confession.
There, God is waiting for us. The priest is but an instrument, a channel of His grace. We may find it hard to forgive ourselves. But here, when the priest pronounces that we have been forgiven, we must believe because it is true. God values the sincerity of our contrite hearts and desires to assure us that our sins have been washed away.
It may not be obvious to many. But the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an opportunity to encounter the limitless mercy of God.
3. Reading and Meditating Upon the Scriptures
Reading the Bible enables us to be enlightened by God’s wisdom. As we read the Scriptures, we are taken to Bible passages that can help us let go of our worries and surrender all our concerns to God.
In the Gospels, we read about Jesus. We find Him curing the sick, driving out demons and working in miraculous ways. We also read about His suffering and recall how much God loves us.
All these can help us develop greater faith in God. We may also take note of particular Bible passages that inspire us such as those in the Psalms.
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;
he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.
You set a table before me
in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me
all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for endless days.”
4. Sacramentals
Carrying sacramentals such as the Scapular and the Miraculous Medal helps remind us of God’s presence and protection. Each of these also has promises of grace attached to them that we can hold on to in times of need.
Instead of fear, let us be surrounded with things that assure us of God’s presence and power.
5. Catholic Songs and Hymns
Spiritual music has a soothing effect on the soul. The melody alone can already help calm us. With lyrics that remind us of God’s enduring love, we are strengthened the more.
We can listen to them or even sing them in times when we start to be anxious. Instead of letting the voice of worry occupy our minds, let us turn to these heavenly voices and music to draw us closer to peace.
Let God Heal Your Soul
Aside from consulting therapists and mental health professionals, those who are suffering from anxiety can also find assistance in Catholic practices that bring healing to the heart and soul.
We are not meant to live in worry and fear but in hope and trust in God.
God can do all things. And He can help us surrender to Him every trouble that disrupts our peace of mind.
I hope you find in these Catholic prayers, practices and devotions, a way to relieve your anxious thoughts. May you find healing, encouragement and peace in God’s power, wisdom and unfailing love.
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” – Padre Pio
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NABRE)
You may also want to read “Inside Out 2 Review: The Showdown Between Anxiety and Joy”
You may also want to read Jocelyn’s book “Carried by Christ’s Compassion”.
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