A Prayer for Catastrophizing

Faithful God,

My mind constantly swirls with “what ifs,”

especially when it comes to my kids.

I imagine the worst.

I create narratives in my head

of unlikely scenarios,

as if by my anticipating worry,

I can stop the worst from happening.

But what if the worst never happens…

and I’ve wasted all this time and energy

being worried?

Jesus, I think of your words:

“Can any one of you by worrying 

add a single hour to your life?”*

I know you speak truth, Lord,

so I release my worries to you today—

from the small justifiable concerns,

to the extreme catastrophes

I imagine in my mind—

I let them go.

(pause here to take a deep breath and if you’d like, 

imagine letting go of each specific worry as it comes to you.)

Father, who loves my kids more than I do,

who created them in the womb,

and numbers the hairs on their heads,

forgive me for my lack of trust.

Remind me of your promise:

you will never leave us

and never forsake us. 

No matter what comes,

we are held in your hands.

My kids are held in your hands.

Continue to bring me back to this place, Lord,

where I release my worries to you

and hold on to your promises instead. 

Amen.