Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart: 100 Reassuring Devotions

by Julie K. Gillies

Beautiful, Calming Peace When anxiety is an intrusive reality that steals your peace, holds you captive to fear, and imposes itself between you and longed-for calmness, the God of all comfort invites you to turn your gaze toward heaven.Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart offers 100 reassuring devotions and Scripture-based prayers that will shift your focus toward truth, restore your hope, and fill your soul with peace. Every devotion offers… brief yet meaningful teachings to give you encouragement and inspirationrelevant Scripture verses to ground you in God’s promisesexpressive prayers to keep your heart riveted on truth You don’t have to dwell in anxiety. Instead, pray. Breathe. And let your heart rest in God’s calming presence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Faith

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2020

About the author

If you are weary and long for serious hope and encouragement, then Julie Gillies’ books are for you! Each encouraging, relatable book connects your heart deeply with the truth of Scripture, and includes heartfelt, meaningful prayers.

The primary themes woven through each of Julie’s books include trusting God, resting in His love, walking by faith, knowing Him more, persevering through hardship, honoring Him with your life, immersing yourself in Scripture, and praying simple prayers of faith.

Most days find Julie caring for her granddaughter, chopping vegetables in the kitchen, taking walks while listening to podcasts, or birdwatching in her southern Georgia backyard with her husband. Julie enjoys baking from scratch, hosting friends and family for home cooked meals, and gazing in wonder at all of God’s creation wherever she goes.

ENJOY Julie’s books? Please take just a moment to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

Reviews

[Katie T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayers to Calm your Anxious Heart is a wonderful and therapeutic devotional for anyone struggling with anxiety, depression or the day to day trials of life. There is so much good, practical advice packed within these encouraging pages.

Each devotional starts with a verse, a message and a closing prayer. There is even space to take notes. I found each message to be really encouraging and informative, guiding the reader to focus on important Christian principles. Stop spiraling in negative thoughts, make a list of things you're grateful for, quote verses over yourself, keep your focus on Jesus and his promises, root yourself down in his strength and word.

I think reading a devotional or two a day from this book would really help guide the heart and mind of a worrier to focus on what is important rather than getting wrapped up in their anxiety or negativity. Highly recommended for anyone looking for encouragement and help from God.

Thank you to Net Galley for making this book available for early access.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful little gem that I will reread many times in the future!!

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

None of us are exempt from anxious moments and in those moments, words to express the root of anxiety can be hard to find. In Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart you have the beautiful expressions of Julie Gillies to prompt you and lead you in specific, Truth based and comforting prayers. Can be read topically, as there are one hundred devotions or meditations, or can be read in order during an anxious season to daily guide and calm your heart. Each entry has a subject line, a Scripture for reference, a devotion or thought-provoking meditation, then a beautifully penned prayer. Lastly, a Heart Notes section provides a section for you to record your own thoughts and responses. Recommended as a personal devotional or perhaps a gift for someone walking through an anxious season. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a person made anxious by corona virus?  One of the many people whose set point is anxiety?  Or, are you just looking for a few minutes to yourself each day in order to feel and enjoy a sense of calm? Whoever you are,  this book is worth a look.  Each entry has a quote, a short vignette and space to write one's own reflections.  For example there are entries with titles like "When Life Is Harder than You Ever Imagined" or "Fearless." 


This book is Christian in its orientation but may well speak to anyone who is seeking a life with a bit less in the way of anxious thoughts.  The vignettes are ones to which many may relate,


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotionals release can’t come soon enough. It is so needed, not just for those like me who deal with anxiety, but for so many during this pandemic and upheaval that is going on in our world around us. The Bible says a lot about how to be still and turn our worries over to God, and this book packs so many of those places in scripture in. The structure involves a scripture quote, brief discussion, and a specific prayer with a small place for what’s on your heart. I love that especially! Just enough room to jot some thoughts down. I love devotionals to guide my prayer life but also want to write down my intentions or specific prayers and this provides just enough pace to do so.

I’ve been reading this daily and have found it helpful and hope it speaks to many others.

[Sandy Wilmering · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for anyone who is spiritually-minded and feeling anxious about the pandemic and turmoil of 2020. Each devotion begins with a short piece of scripture, is followed by a relevant and inspiring message applicable to anyone's everyday life, and finishes with a suggested prayer that encompasses the scripture and message discussed. Space is given at the bottom of each entry so that the reader can write down their own thoughts and feelings. I like that there are no calendar dates assigned to these readings, so that you can read as many as you want on your own timeline, or can flip through the book and read a devotion that is relevant to how you may be feeling on any particular day.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart" has been a balm for me during the chaos that is 2020. The chapters have soothing, uplifting titles"The Lord is fighting for you" and "sweet relief", which may seem like a small thing, but even just scrolling randomly thru the book, there been many of those titles that have jumped out and spoken to my heart. I don't consider myself to be good at prayer and I often struge to find the words. Julie Glies provides a beautiful, lyrical prayer tied to each chapter and they are wonderful. There is a place to write your own "heart notes" after each and those notes have inspired me to finally start my own prayer journal. Absolutely wonderful.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me at the perfect time. Obviously, the past few months have been anxiety-filled. And prior to March, I dealt with anxiety on and off. I've read a lot of self-help books and even seen a counselor. Yet this is the first thing that clicked with me. I loved the format: a Bible verse, followed by a narrative, followed by a prayer. The length was perfect. Enough for comfort, calmness, and reflection without getting too caught up in dissection of a Bible verse or a prayer so long that by the end you've forgotten the beginning. I'm not a regular church-goer, but I am a spiritual person. This book made a difference in my life, and I will refer to it over and over again.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book says it all - it is an excellent book, particularly relevant in the current troublesome times, but suitable for anyone suffering from anxiety or worries. Each prayer is accompanied by a short commentary to help the reader practise ways of overcoming different anxieties and putting it all into perspective. There are very helpful suggestions regarding typical modes of thinking in anxious states, giving ways to change and redirect unhelpful thought patterns. There are also relevant Bible quotations and references with each prayer and commentary. A helpful and comforting book, and one to be recommended.

[Brigitte Yuille · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I choose this book days before having a medical procedure to help ease my nerves. I wanted to have a set of prayers that I could memorize when and if I started to become nervous. While reading it, the messages encouraged me to pull out the Bible not only to reread the passages mentioned but to read more verses. The early version of the book that I read still had some formatting issues that needed to be addressed. However, I would recommend the book to anyone who likes devotionals and needs some prayers to recite during challenging moments.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely collection of uplifting messages on the topic of choosing fear over faith and trusting GOD. Each segment begins with a biblical quote, followed by a "pep talk/positivity" message and then ends with a prayer.

It was beautifully written and soothing to read. I found my anxieties and concerns melting away as I connected with the material in these challenging times that we are currently living in.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and recommend it for anyone who wants to experience peace of mind.

[Shannan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is small but mighty. It's really perfect for anyone as most of us likely will face anxiety at one point or another in our lives. The devotions are short but relatable. The author gives a Bible verse, a devotion, and prayer and then a space to journal. It's the perfect book! As I was reading, I was thinking of those I know who could really use this book. It really is a book of prayers for calming our anxious hearts. I highly recommend it and it's one that will be read over and over.

[Brigitte Ayerves Valderas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I choose this book days before having a medical procedure to help ease my nerves. I wanted to have a set of prayers that I could memorize when and if I started to become nervous. While reading it, the messages encouraged me to pull out the Bible not only to reread the passages mentioned but to read more verses. The early version of the book that I read still had some formatting issues that needed to be addressed. However, I would recommend the book to anyone who likes devotionals and needs some prayers to recite during challenging moments.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short devotionals for those trying to cope with anxiety.

I personally did not find that the devotionals assisted me in my anxiety or provided me any type of feeling or context after reading them. I do feel that those who practice reading devotionals daily would appreciate this book.

I did not finish the book as i found it repetitive and chose not to continue reading past 20%. I also was not getting anything out of it, which seemed counterproductive to what the book is about.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy for an honest review.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. This is filled with guidance and prayer for all kinds of worries and anxieties and is a beautiful book to keep beside your bed when you need some extra support. I especially loved the heart notes area to add your own thoughts alongside the various prayers. This would make a lovely gift.

[Kelly Runcis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be beautifully written. The words are calming, soothing. The inclusion of scripture points you directly to favorites and forgotten quotes that calm. The thoughtful inclusion of a space to journal your thoughts and fears is a wonderful addition. I enjoy this emensely and will be purchasing a physical copy to supplement my ebook and take better advantage of the prayers provided.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent companion to your daily bible reading and devotional time if you struggle with stress and anxiety. Filled with scripture references, prayer and human examples of stressful situations and anxiety-ridden concerns, Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart is a wonderful source for helping calm the fear and remind us all that God really is in charge.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book everyone can benefit from. Everybody feels anxiety at some point in their life and this book will soothe your mind as you read it. It has a scripture, a reading and a prayer, it's the perfect length. Thank you Harvest House Publishers via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Mhughessc · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart" is a short devotional book for anyone who deals with anxiety. It is comprised of short essays, Bible verses, and a daily prayer. This is a very helpful book, but I was hoping for a little more content.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great devotional/prayer book in regards to anxiety for Christians. As someone who struggled with anxiety since childhood, it was very helpful. We must always trust God over our fears!

I recommend this for all the other anxious Christians!

I received this book via NetGalley in an exchange for a honest reviews. These thoughts expressed here are my own opinions.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prayers for many reasons/occasions, Prayers to Calm an Anxious Heart helps us slow down and focus on God.

[Cindelu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. It is a lovely, calming book. Perfect for cuddling up in your favorite chair on a snowy day.

[Luanne Lathom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is so needed right now, especially because of the Covid-19 pandemic.