Hello, everyone. I’ve suffered from anxiety and depression all my life – both chronic and acute. It goes right back to my earliest childhood memories. I’ve spent many years slowly learning to face situations I’m afraid of, including trying to be direct with people whose behaviour hurts me. However, it’s puzzling that even after tackling difficult situations, my sense of inner dread continues unchecked.
When people ask how I am, if I answer honestly about this, most don’t know how to handle it. Some ignore it. Others offer simplistic solutions that are themselves hurtful, though the speaker means well. If I could overcome this inner dread, it would make a huge difference to my quality of life, so it is often in my prayers, as it is today…
Peace
- I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil (Job 3:26; NIV).
- The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me (Job 30:27).
- You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day (Deuteronomy 28:66).
- Relieve the trouble of my heart, and bring me out of my distress (Psalm 25:17; NRSV).
Prince of Peace,
You know exactly how anxious I am –
And why.
For me,
The worst thing about it
Is that I don’t understand it at all.
I’ve done everything I can
To face and resolve each problem,
Yet I’m still afraid.
How I wish I could switch off
This nameless, deep, instinctive dread –
But it seems impossible.
Lord, please heal me,
Please give me your peace –
Relieve the trouble of my heart,
And bring me out of my distress.
I ask this in the name of your dear Son,
Amen.