Prayers for Anxiety
The Sub Tuum Praesidium is the oldest known prayer to Mary — Christians under pressure have run to it since the third century. Scripture's answer to anxiety is not a demand to stop feeling it, but an instruction about where to carry it.
Traditional prayers
Sub Tuum Praesidium (Under Your Protection)
O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Memorare
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
From Scripture
6Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.
7And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4, vv. 6-7, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
7Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you.
— 1 Peter 5, vv. 7, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
3He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.
4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
— Psalm 22 (23), vv. 1-4, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
Psalm numbers follow the Douay-Rheims (Vulgate) numbering; the common Hebrew numbering appears in parentheses.
Pray a novena
Patron saints for this intention
How to use these prayers
Prayer accompanies rather than replaces care for your mind — see a doctor or counselor for persistent anxiety, as the Church herself counsels. St. Dymphna is the patron of exactly this.