“Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing?

But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour;

And the one on whom seed was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and the deceitfulness [the superficial pleasures and delight] of riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit.

But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things;

So as for you, do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink; nor have an anxious and unsettled mind.

Were you a slave when you were called? Do not worry about that [since your status as a believer is equal to that of a freeborn believer]; but if you are able to gain your freedom, do that.

casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

In

Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps;

But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman with a despairing spirit. I have not been drinking wine or any intoxicating drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord.

Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God.

But Hezekiah the king and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz prayed about this and cried out to heaven [for help].

But when he was in distress, he sought the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.

They looked to Him and were radiant;
Their faces will never blush in shame or confusion.

O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.

Evening and morning and at noon I will complain and murmur,
And He will hear my voice.

Trust [confidently] in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him.
God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],

And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’

“Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.

Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,

Jesus said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; or about your body, as to what you will wear.

With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.

be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit,

Known

The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight!

(The Bridegroom)
“O my dove, [here] in the clefts in the rock,
In the sheltered and secret place of the steep pathway,
Let me see your face,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet,
And your face is lovely.”

So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

General references

So Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, and they again gave birth to children,

And if you say, “What are we going to eat in the seventh year if we do not sow [seed] or gather in our crops?”

And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord saying,