Feeling overwhelmed or worried? This short prayer can help

The famous poem by St. Teresa of Avila has calmed many a worried soul.

There’s a lot to be worried about. In a culture built on social media and search engines, we’re all expected to be informed and updated on all the latest causes, problems, and tragedies. We’re expected to know about everything that is wrong with the world all the time … and that’s before we even get to the problems in our personal lives.

St. Teresa of Avila, a cloistered nun and reformer of the Carmelite Order, was a great saint and mystic who also struggled with depression in addition to other recurrent health problems. Familiar with the many burdens and obstacles of life, she composed this poem as an encouragement toward peace and trust in God when you are consumed with worry:

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.