Fear accompanies a person almost his entire life. This is normal and even useful: imagine a world where no one is afraid of anything. Although it also happens that fear becomes unreasonable or has a basis, the emotion is too strong and literally gives no rest. In these cases, measures can and should be taken.
And believers have a long-tested and effective answer - prayer. This is a kind of meditation that balances the mental and psychological state of the person praying, giving him peace and relief. In Orthodoxy, there are several prayers for different types of anxiety caused by fear. Let's look at the most effective ones.
What is fear in Orthodoxy
For an Orthodox Christian, only one fear is justified - the fear of God. And this does not mean that he fears the Lord as an evil Judge who mercilessly punishes misdeeds and sins. First of all, it is the fear of offending and hurting the One whom you love very much. Therefore, such a person, out of fear of losing spiritual communication with the Lord, strives to fulfill God’s commandments and commandments.
Venerable Ephraim the Syrian:
Where the fear of God predominates, humility reigns there, God descends there, inhabits such a soul, and dwells and abides in it, and becomes, as it were, its guardian, and drives away all other fears.
The monk also notes that having the fear of God helps to get rid of other everyday worries. After all, if true love for the Lord lives in us, it means that we completely trust Him and His care for us. The Apostle John also testifies to this, saying: “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
It is not for nothing that the Lord Jesus Christ often turns to the people around him with a call not to be afraid of anything. “Do not be afraid, only believe,” says the Savior to the ruler of the synagogue, who heard about the death of his daughter (Mark 5:36). “Do not be afraid,” the Apostle Peter heard when the Lord performed a miracle with a fish catch on Lake Gennesaret (Luke 5). The words “do not be afraid, little flock!” (Luke 12:32) from the sermon of Jesus to this day resound for the entire Church of Christ.
Therefore, an Orthodox Christian should not give in to panic and unrest. Paralyzing a person, fear makes him unable to adequately assess the situation and make the right decision. A frightened person, expecting tricks and troubles everywhere, is unable to help his neighbor and do deeds of mercy. Cowardice is a territory in which there is no God. Fear is like a tenacious web. It entwines the soul and heart of a person, ultimately closing the Divine Image and Light from him.
Miracle of the Ephesian Youths
In the 3rd century, in the city of Ephesus (modern Turkey), Maximilian and six of his friends were in the military service of the Roman emperor Decius (249-251). They all professed the Christian faith. When the emperor issued a decree to make sacrifices to the pagan gods, the young men refused. They decided to hide in a cave on Mount Ohlon (there is an assumption that this is Mount Keshish-Dag in Turkey). The emperor ordered to block the entrance to the cave, thereby burying them alive. Offering a prayer to God, the youths fell into a wonderful sleep.
Their lives tell that in the 5th century heretics came to Ephesus who rejected the doctrine of the general resurrection of the dead on the Day of the Last Judgment. At the same time, the owner of the land on which Mount Ohlon was located decided to use the cave for driving livestock. He ordered workers to dismantle the stonework covering the entrance to the cave. So seven youths, according to God’s Providence, awaken from sleep.
Unaware that 200 years had already passed, one of the young men went into the city to buy food. While trying to pay with an ancient coin, he was detained, believing that he had found a treasure. During the interrogation everything became clear. The priest, with a large crowd of people, came to the cave. There, among the stones, a casket was found with a note in which it was written that the youths of the emperor Decius were walled up alive here. The miraculous awakening of the youths strengthened the faith of local residents in the future resurrection of the dead. After the conversation between the seven Ephesian youths and the emperor, the young men fell asleep again in the cave, but this time in eternal sleep.
For a long time, the cave where their bodies were left was a place of worship for many Christians. Since the 12th century, these places have been abandoned by residents. Where the relics of the saints, to whom prayer is often addressed for insomnia, are now located remains unknown. During excavations in the cave in 1920-1930, only terracotta lamps with Christian symbols were found.
The cure for fear is faith and prayer
The main reason for our anxiety and worry is the lack of complete trust in the Lord. Christ Himself pointed out the lack of faith as the root of fear. Addressing the disciples during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, He asked:
Why are you so fearful, you of little faith? (Matt. 8:26).
True faith allows you to overcome any fears. After all, then we surrender ourselves into the hands of our Creator, who loves us infinitely and desires only our salvation.
Saint Theophan the Recluse:
The Lord builds everything, and in the best way for us.
In the words of Christ: “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:29). This means that nothing happens in a person’s life by chance, without the Divine will. Even difficult and sorrowful situations, according to God’s Providence, are guides for the human soul to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Saint Basil the Great:
A Christian should not be afraid and suffer from dangers, wavering in his trust in God. He needs to be brave, because the Lord is with him, organizing his affairs for the good and strengthening him in all adversities, and with him the Holy Spirit, teaching him even what to answer to his opponents.
The best weapon against cowardice and anxiety for a Christian is prayer against fear and anxiety. In moments of anxiety, prayer is a lifeboat that will lead the soul out of the raging waves of danger and fear. Turning to God is the surest shield against cowardice and fear, which gives a person confidence and calmness. Prayer connects a person with God. And as the Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Romans:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
How does it help?
Prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker against anxiety for the future helps the one praying, as well as the one for whom they are praying, to free the heart from fear of the unknown and, relying on the support of St. Nicholas, to move forward.
Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker
The believer must remember that in any circumstances God will not abandon him, for St. Nicholas the Wonderworker will ask the Lord to protect the one praying in all difficulties.
Fear of people, society
Let's start with fear of people, society. Traditionally, David's psalms are believed to help with this type of anxiety. According to legend, King David, who ruled Israel in pre-Christian times, was fleeing from his own son Absalom, who wanted to take his throne.
One day, pursued by enemies, King David prayed to the Lord asking for intercession. Surprisingly, the enemies were defeated without a fight, and the text of David’s prayer has survived to this day. Translated into Slavic, it is called Psalm 3 “Lord, why do my enemies multiply?”
Psalm 3
Lord, why have you multiplied the cold? Many people rise up against me, many people say to my soul: there is no salvation for him in his God. But You, Lord, are my Protector, my glory, and lift up my head. With my voice I cried to the Lord, and He heard me from His holy mountain. I fell asleep and fell asleep, and arose, as if the Lord would intercede for me. I will not be afraid of the people around me who attack me. Arise, Lord, save me, my God, for you have struck down all those who are at enmity with me in vain: you have crushed the teeth of sinners. Salvation is the Lord's, and Your blessing is upon Your people.
Prayer in anxious anticipation “To my Queen, the Most Blessed”
There are situations in life when a person is forced to be in a situation of anxious anticipation, worry and fear for himself, family and friends. For example, you are waiting for an important decision about work, health, a call from a significant person, and so on. In such cases, the believer is helped by a prayerful appeal to the Mother of God, whose help is especially effective in situations of anxious anticipation, when there are bad thoughts in the head and an uneasy soul.
The prayer addressed to the Mother of God was composed by the Greek monk Theostirictus, who lived in the eighth century and was overcome by unfounded fears. A prayer canon to the Holy Mother of God, consisting of nine songs, can be found in every prayer book. There is also a shorter prayer to the Mother of God - singing “Offering to my Queen.”
My Most Blessed Queen, My Hope, Mother of God, Friend of the Orphan and Strange, the Representative of the Grieving, the Joy of the Offended, the Patroness! See my misfortune, see my sorrow; help me, for I am weak, feed me, for I am strange! Weigh my offense - resolve it, like voles! For I have no other help but You, no other Representative, no good Comforter, except You, O Mother of God! May you preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen.
Life of the Venerable Irinarch of Rostov
The Monk Irinarch of Rostov (1548 -1616) was born into a peasant family in the village of Kondakovo (now Rostov region). In his worldly life he was engaged in trade. But wanting to devote himself to the Lord, at the age of 30 he went to the Borisoglebsky Monastery (Yaroslavl region). He was known for leading a very strict lifestyle: he prayed for a long time, slept 2-3 hours a day and only on bare ground.
One winter, the monk donated his boots to a poor wanderer. Saint Irinarchus did not wear boots until the end of his days and walked only in shabby clothes. The monk had to leave his native monastery and settle in the Rostov Monastery of St. Lazarus. When, at the insistence of the abbot, the Monk Irinarch returned to the Boris and Gleb Monastery, he stopped leaving his cell, indulging in unceasing prayer to the Lord. The Monk Irinarch wore chains (iron shackles and chains to pacify his flesh). The total weight of his rope was 106 kilograms. Believers came to the elder asking for prayers. Many received healing from their illnesses, including insomnia.
Fear of death
The fear of death is completely natural for humans. But there are times when it is especially intrusive, painful and prevents you from living a full life. This often happens after the loss of loved ones or after severe shocks related to one’s own health. In this case, it is good to read the troparion of the Venerable Mary of Egypt, a saint who, being a hermit, suffered from the fear of death for many years.
Troparion of Venerable Mary of Egypt
In you, mother, it is known that you were saved in the image, having accepted the cross, you followed Christ, and in action you taught to despise the flesh, which passes away; In the same way, the Angels also rejoice, O Reverend Mary, Your spirit.
Troparion to the Martyr Boniface
The troparion to the martyr Boniface also helps to calm the soul with the fear of death. The story of this saint is amazing: having been a hedonist all his life, he accepted death without hesitation in the name of faith in Christ.
Thy martyr, Lord, Boniface, in his suffering received an imperishable crown from You, our God, for having Thy strength, overthrow the tormentors, crush the demons of weak insolence. Save our souls through your prayers.
Prayer for fear of death
Lord, have mercy on me from the fear of inevitable death. I'm not afraid of death, but of torment. I fear not the end, but languor. Deliver me from mortal fear and help me cope with corrosive grief. Let it be so. Amen.
Who to pray for help with headaches
According to the Orthodox tradition, in the case of each specific illness, one must pray to a specific heavenly patron. In general, the veneration of saints began quite a long time ago; at the base of each temple lie the relics of Christian martyrs. For believers, they are something like intermediaries who convey their prayers to God and support petitions. This tradition is not followed by Protestant denominations, but other orthodox beliefs cling strongly to it.
When a person suffers from a headache, it is customary to pray to John the Baptist and the Mother of God.
Night terrors
The time from dusk to dawn in many cultures is associated with fears and belief in the special power of evil spirits. At this time, the psyche of a person, tired from daytime wakefulness, becomes especially vulnerable. Children are most susceptible to night insurance because of their vivid imagination and immature brain.
The psalms of David “Let God rise again” (Psalm 67) and “Live in the help of the Most High” (Psalm 90) become effective prayers for a child’s worries. By the way, the last psalm is considered one of the most powerful prayers for fear and helps in the case of phobias of various etymologies - from sudden panic attacks to obsessive thoughts, fear of closed spaces, spiders, etc.
Psalm 67
May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered, and may those who hate Him flee from His face. As smoke disappears, let them disappear, as wax melts from the face of fire, so let sinners perish from the face of God, and let the righteous rejoice, let them rejoice before God, let them enjoy themselves in joy.
Psalm 90
Living in the help of the Most High, he will settle in the shelter of the Heavenly God. Says the Lord: Thou art my Protector and my Refuge, my God, and I trust in Him. For He will deliver you from the snare of the trap, and from rebellious words, His splash will overshadow you, and under His wing you hope: His truth will surround you with weapons. Do not be afraid from the fear of the night, from the arrow that flies during the day, from the thing that passes in the darkness, from the cloak, and from the demon of the midday.
Thousands will fall from your country, and darkness will fall at your right hand, but it will not come close to you, otherwise you will look at your eyes, and you will see the reward of sinners. For You, O Lord, are my hope, You have made the Most High your refuge. Evil will not come to you, and wound will not approach your body, as His Angel commanded you to keep you in all your ways.
They will lift you up in their arms, but not when you dash your foot on a stone, step on an asp and a basilisk, and cross a lion and a serpent. For I have trusted in Me, and I will deliver, and I will cover, and because I have known My name. He will call to Me, and I will hear him: I am with him in sorrow, I will overcome him, and I will glorify him, I will fill him with long days, and I will show him My salvation.
How to read prayers correctly
Any prayer must be read slowly, and most importantly, with faith. First of all, with faith that the Lord (Mother of God, saint...) hears you, and no matter where you are - the limits are only within ourselves.
The prayer must be read with attention, avoiding vain thoughts. It is important to remember that absent-minded prayer is empty muttering that no one needs.
And most importantly, remember that God is Love, and He loves us infinitely and always, and does everything only for our good.
