5 steps to pray away worry

By John and Therese Boucher
Special to The CFP

A tsunami of worry and anxiety is engulfing our country due to the coronavirus pandemic, workplace closings, cancellation of Masses, and political wrangling. Yet, St. Francis de Sales (France, 1567–1622) teaches that “anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.” 
For some of us, this directive sounds like foolishness; and shunning anxiety is akin to an Olympic event. So, what is St. Francis saying to us? 
The key to his message is contained in the first part of this quote, God’s essential invitation to pray. St. Therese of Lisieux (France, 1873–97) further explains the kind of prayer most needed in order to overcome worry, “Prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven; it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” What a challenge for a worrier! 
In times of crisis and darkness, our temptation is to be frozen in an ongoing instant replay of monumental fears, allowing worry to grip our minds and hearts in a powerful vise. The longer we embrace worry, the more our inner selves spin out of control and our souls begin to drown. “No! No! No!” is all we can manage to pray! Now, be assured that God hears this kind of primal prayer, but offers us much more, if we let our troubled hearts surge toward Jesus from the trough of despair. 
During a time like none of us has ever experienced, we invite you to draw closer to Jesus, using the names or titles for Jesus from the New Testament. Here are five steps for doing so: 
1. Find a quiet place. Take a few deep breaths. Then choose two or three of the names or titles for Jesus (listed at the end of this article). Slowly pray these names repeatedly for several minutes.
2. Settle on one title that touches your troubled soul. Pray this one name slowly for three to five minutes whenever worry and anxiety well up in you.
3. You might put this name in the following sentence. “Jesus, (title) ________, come to me when I am afraid of ________.”  [Repeat three times.]  Example: “Jesus, Good Shepherd, come to me when I am afraid of the coronavirus or of pneumonia or of losing a loved one or of dying.
4. Finish your sentence with, “I choose you as my hope. Amen” or with St. Faustina Kowalska’s famous, “Jesus, I trust in you.”
5. Consider calling, texting or emailing a worried friend. During your conversation or exchange, ask:  “What helps you live through this troubling time?” Listen. Then consider sharing your experience of calling out to Jesus, if it is appropriate.
Some of the names or titles of Jesus in Scripture are: Bread of Life, Lord, Emmanuel, Holy One of God, Good Shepherd, Healer, King of Kings, Image of the Invisible God, Living Water, Messiah, Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, Light of the World, Son of David, Man of Sorrows, Redeemer, Prince of Peace, Savior, Teacher, Son of God, Suffering Servant, Son of Mary, Word of God, the Way, Truth and Life. 
Perhaps, you might choose a new one each day we continue to experience the pandemic.
 
– John and Therese Boucher are authors of hundreds of articles and many books about Catholic evangelization, including, “Sharing the Faith that 
You Love: Four Simple Ways to Be Part of the New Evangelization.” They are members of the Parish Renewal and Evangelization Committee in the Diocese 
of Worcester.