Social anxiety can feel overwhelming and crippling. It can seem like a giant skyscraper between you and what you desire the most. If you have struggled or are currently struggling with the anxiety of trying to engage with others, you are not alone. Fear doesn’t have to rule your relational life. Below are 8 Prayers to help you overcome social anxiety.
1. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You all whose thoughts are fixed on You! – Isaiah 26: 3 NLT
Lord, the idea of having conversations paralyzes me when I am around a large group of people. Father, help me to remember I can experience Your peace even amid my anxiety when I keep my mind fixed on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. – Philippians 4:6 NLT
God, as soon as I find out I have a social event to attend, I immediately start getting stressed. Your Word tells us not to worry about anything but pray about everything. Help me to maintain a prayerful posture when I am nervous. Lord even when I am experiencing fear, let me be reminded of Your faithfulness to bring me through. In Jesus’ powerful name, amen.
3. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Father, I don’t want to live strapped by fear for the rest of my life, and the thought of dealing with this long-term is so frustrating to me. Help me to remember that You will strengthen me and help me in the midst of overcoming this anxiety. Lord, I know You will be faithful to hold me while I walk through this. In Jesus’ name, amen.
4. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Jesus, sometimes amid a social event, I feel shy and afraid of speaking and saying the wrong thing. I become embarrassed and withdraw, sometimes completely disconnecting from the conversation. Lord, help me to embrace the guiding power of Your Holy Spirit, which is one of power, love, and self-control. In Your name, amen.
5. I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4 NLT
Father, I’d be lying if I said I don’t occasionally wonder if You can hear me. It even feels insignificant for me to pray to You about my anxiety. Nevertheless, Holy Spirit, please remind me that when I cry out for help, You will deliver me from every concern that I have. In Jesus’ name, amen.
6. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” – Jeremiah 17:7 NLT
Lord. It’s tempting to try to figure things out on my own, but Lord, Your Word says that when I rely on You, I can have confidence. Help me, Holy Spirit, to remember to trust even when it’s difficult. I know that You and You alone are the only thing that can help me overcome this. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
7. So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6 NLT
God, sometimes I wonder if my social anxiety is connected to having a fear of people. I can find myself worrying about what others think of me. Help me to remember that You are the One who comes to my aid when I’m in need. Remind me not to be afraid because You have my back, You love me, and You always help me. Empower me to overcome my fear of people and what they may think about me. In Jesus’ great name, amen.
8. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? – Romans 8:31 NLT
Even though dealing with my fear of connecting with others can sometimes leave me feeling weak and defeated, God, I know You are bigger and stronger than this issue in my life. Remind me that I can conquer this because You are the Source of my strength. I am sufficient because You are sufficient within me! I pray all these things in Jesus’ holy name, amen.
