Catholic Prayers for Anxiety
Turning to Prayer in Times of Anxiety
Even with a strong faith, there are times when worry and anxiety can weigh on us. Concerns about our health, our children and grandchildren, loved ones who’ve fallen away from the Church, or an uncertain future are all part of the human experience.
Thankfully, we don’t have to carry those worries alone. The Catholic prayer tradition offers many ways to bring our anxieties before God, from asking for the intercession of the saints to quieting our minds through meditative prayer. These prayers for anxiety can help us turn our fears over to God and trust in His mercy.
St. Dymphna Prayer
St. Dymphna is honored as the patron saint of those suffering from mental illness and anxiety.
Dymphna was an Irish princess who lived in the early 7th century AD. Although her father was a pagan, her mother was Catholic, and this faith inspired Dymphna to devote her life and virginity to Christ. Following the death of her mother, her grief-stricken father attempted to marry Dymphna, whose refusal resulted in her martyrdom.
Her intercession is commonly invoked for those struggling with mental illness and anxiety.
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.
(State your needs here)
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.
Amen.
St. Thérèse Rose Prayer
St. Thérèse was well familiar with the suffering caused by anxiety. Even from childhood, she was prone to scrupulosity and excessive worry. As a nun, her “Little Way” helped Thérèse trust God in the midst of her struggles.
St. Thérèse’s story makes her another saint to turn to when facing worry and anxiety.
O Little Thérèse of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose
from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love.
O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God to grant the favors
I now place with confidence in your hands . . .
(mention in silence here)
St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did in
God’s great love for me, so that I might imitate your “Little Way” each day.
Amen.
Pray the St. Thérèse Rose prayer anytime on CatholicTV or on YouTube.
Anima Christi
This prayer’s exact origins are not clear, but it is well known for appearing at the beginning of St. Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises. Ignatius is another saint who suffered from anxiety caused by his severe scrupulosity.
When we’re struggling with anxiety—whatever the cause—the Anima Christi prayer helps us find refuge in Christ, who alone can heal us from our worries and is always with us in our struggles, even when we don’t find healing right away.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Separated from Thee, let me never be.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
At the hour of death, call me.
And close to Thee bid me,
that with Thy saints I may be praising Thee, forever and ever.
Amen.
Pray the Anima Christi on CatholicTV or on YouTube.
The Rosary
When we feel anxious, it can be difficult to redirect our thoughts away from whatever is worrying us. We need to replace those thoughts with something else, and this is where meditative prayer can help.
The Rosary, which is a meditation on the lives of Jesus and Mary through repeated prayers, is a powerful way to calm an anxious mind and focus on consoling thoughts. And if a racing mind makes it challenging to pray on your own, you can pray along as Bishop Reed leads the Rosary on CatholicTV. You’ll also find Rosary playlists for each set of mysteries on our YouTube channel.
Sacred Scripture
The Bible is full of encouragement when we’re afraid or anxious. In fact, “Do not fear” is the most-repeated command in Scripture! Like meditative prayer, we can meditate on Sacred Scripture to help replace anxious thoughts with peaceful ones.
Here are some Bible passages and verses related to anxiety:
- Psalm 23
- Isaiah 26:3–4
- John 14:27
- Philippians 4:6–7
- 1 Peter 5:7
Finding Peace Through Prayer
Anxiety may not disappear the moment we pray, but prayer can help us entrust our worries to God and remain close to Him through them. May these prayers bring you comfort, peace, and greater trust in His care. And please consider sharing these prayers with someone who may need peace and encouragement today.