Praying [not] for my Anxiety

As I was reading Matthew chapter 21, I came to verses 20–22, the lesson of the withered fig tree. And during that passage, my mind drifted. Even though I was reading aloud (which I sometimes do to help me focus), it’s amazing how well we can multitask… saying one thing while thinking about something else entirely. It reminded me how selfish we can be at times when talking with a friend… not really listening, just preparing our next response.

My own sin and flesh, maybe even mixed with the enemy’s distractions, pulled me away. But the HOLY SPIRIT convicted me, led me to rewind, and read that section again.

It’s such a famous passage, and one that’s often misused by prosperity or “name it and claim it” teaching. Jesus speaks about faith that can move mountains, about asking without doubting. And that’s exactly where healing preachers so often go wrong. GOD certainly can heal… but how often man twists Scripture to serve his own ends.

Anyway… I was reminded again of something the LORD has been teaching me lately… what the root of my prayers really is.

For example, a thorn I’ve carried for years is anxiety. I could take this passage and ask GOD to increase my faith and plead with Him to remove that thorn.

But that’s not truly the root of my prayer… or the root of my need.

My prayer keeps returning to what we see elsewhere in Scripture…

“Lord, I believe… help my unbelief.”

“Increase my faith.”

That is my prayer.

I want to not even focus directly on praying for freedom from my anxieties anymore. Because I know with absolute certainty that as the LORD draws me close to Himself, and He increases my faith, and my trust in Him grows, His perfect love casts out fear.

So one of the biggest things I want in this world… freedom from anxiety… is not my direct need.

It is simply a byproduct of being close to GOD.

And where does that come? Christ alone. Casting myself fully upon HIM, His word, His truth and authority, and daily fall in submission and repentance at the foot of the cross.

His,

Matt

*[P.S.] I know everyone’s journey with anxiety or mental health looks different. We are both body and spirit, and God’s grace can come through many means — including medical help, counseling, and medication. These are not signs of weak faith, but often gifts from His providential hand.

But for me — and probably for many others too — there’s also something deeply spiritual at work underneath. A call not just to relief, but to deeper reliance. To a more honest, surrendered faith.

That’s why my prayer isn’t mainly for the thorn to be removed…

It’s for the faith to cling to the One who bore the thorns for me.*