This election season, it’s natural to feel a sense of anxiety and loss of control during such a pivotal time of transition.

Faith leaders from different traditions and backgrounds shared insight on how to fully put one’s trust in God when things feel out of control. They also shared the specific Bible verses and personally created prayers they turn to for comfort and to ease worries.  

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Read on for their thoughts conveyed to Fox News Digital this November. 

‘Do not be anxious about anything’

Troy A. Miller, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, based in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital about the specific verses he turns to when he is feeling anxiety about issues, including the upcoming election. 

He mentioned these words from scripture: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). 

“You have probably given Nov. 5 considerable thought: how to vote, when to vote and what the results will mean for America,” he said. These verses “give us clear guidance on experiencing peace in all circumstances.” 

By seeking God’s will, asking for help and remembering that He is in charge, “we will discover ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,’” Miller said.

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“As we faithfully pray for our country and vote in alignment with our values, let us place our concerns safely in the care of our Father in Heaven, who holds the nation and the world in His hands,” he said. 

‘God works for the good’

Işık Abla is senior pastor of Dream Church International in Virginia Beach and the author of many Christian books. She told Fox News Digital, “In these uncertain times, it is crucial to rest in the sovereignty of God, trusting that He is at work, even when outcomes are unclear.”

She noted this passage: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). 

Işık Abla, shown at right, said it is “crucial to rest in the sovereignty of God, trusting that He is at work, even when outcomes are unclear.” (iStock; Işık Abla)

“While opinions may differ and emotions run high, believers can anchor their hearts in the peace that surpasses understanding, knowing that God’s plan transcends human decisions,” she said. 

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When a person is stressed or does not know what to do, “prayer becomes a powerful way to calm minds and seek divine wisdom,” Abla said. 

“No matter the results, God is faithfully orchestrating all things for His purpose and glory,” she also said.

‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’

Pastor Jesse Bradley of Grace Community Church in Auburn, Washington, reminded others that “Jesus is our rock in times of uncertainty” and that He is our “Prince of Peace in times of transition and our Good Shepherd in times of stress.” 

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He cited this verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Said Bradley, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God,” said Pastor Jesse Bradley of Washington, even in times of extreme anxiety and stress.  (Fox News Digital)

During times of transition, God’s word does not change, Bradley said. 

“The Gospel – that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave – is always good news,” he said. “God will never leave us or forsake us. Trials will pass. God’s grace is sufficient. God’s promises stand firm.” 

‘You have overcome the world. We trust you’

Bradley also wrote his own prayer for those who may be struggling with anxiety during these times, and shared it with Fox News Digital. 

“Father God, thank you for your presence. You are the God of comfort and the source of our joy. Our lives are filled with purpose, and your passion is a fire in our souls,” the prayer begins. 

“Jesus, we choose to abide with you today. You have overcome the world. We trust you. We ask for compassion, wisdom and courage as we serve our neighbors and glorify You. Forgive us Lord of our sins, we pray, and come heal our land. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.” 

“Please help me realize that no matter the outcome, I must strive to be a force for bringing unity and good to the world,” one prayer notes. (Ildar Abulkhanov)

‘Please keep us all safe and united’

Rabbi Daniel Rowe of Aish, a worldwide Jewish organization dedicated to inspiring “people to live more thoughtful, spiritual and impactful lives,” shared a prayer he wrote with Fox News Digital.

His prayer highlights the need to trust in God and to always remember the humanity of people who are on the “other side” of an issue.

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“God of all the world, I find myself confronted by fears of what the future will bring and feelings of resentment, distrust and dislike of those whose views I oppose. Please help me to realize that I need to stop playing Your role and please help me to play my part in service of You, of my fellow citizens of this great nation, and of all of mankind.”

It is important to remember, one rabbi said, that God, not humanity, is in charge of the future and that people should work to play their “part in service of You, of my fellow citizens of this great nation, and of all mankind.”  (iStock)

“Please remind me that elections are only short-lived. Please help me realize that while our opponents have their faults and flaws, so do we all. Please help me see that they, like us, want the good of the country and that our destiny is tied together, united indivisible under You.”

His prayer continues, “Please help me realize that no matter the outcome, I must strive to be a force for bringing unity and good to the world, and to realize that I am a character in Your great book of history. Please help me know my role, play my role, and please keep us all safe and united — bringing out the best in one another and building our future together.”

This weekend, most of the United States — except for Hawaii and most of Arizona, which don’t observe daylight saving time — is enjoying an extra hour of sleep, but is it actually a good thing? 

Although the day the clocks “fall back” gives you an extra hour of sleep before your alarm goes off, the end of daylight saving time in November has multiple health implications. 

Turning the clocks back an hour on the first Sunday in November means fewer hours of daylight. For many, this means that when they leave work around 5 p.m., it’s already dark outside. It’s one drawback to moving the clocks back. 

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A lot of health implications from moving clocks back are associated with a changed sleep schedule. 

Many people have a difficult time adjusting since their internal clock has been altered.

“Just that one hour can change the amount of sleep you get, the quality of sleep that you get,” said Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep researcher at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, per The Associated Press. 

“Off-kilter sleep can affect people’s ability to multitask, stay alert and even maintain their balance, making them more prone to accidents.” 

Many people, especially those with preexisting conditions, can experience darker moods following the clock change and through the fall and winter months. There are a few different theories for why this happens. 

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One is the body’s circadian rhythm, its internal clock, is disrupted when the days are shorter with less access to the sun, which can cause a mood swing. Turning the clocks back an hour marks a time when the dark winter is coming. 

The lack of serotonin the body receives during this time of year can also contribute to a worsening mood.  

A switch in the time can impact the internal clocks in the body, making it difficult to adjust. (iStock)

There are ways to help your body adjust for a smooth transition. 

One thing you can do is keep your same bedtime. Don’t use the hour of extra sleep as an excuse to stay up late the prior day. Instead, go to bed at your usual time. 

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When you wake up in the morning during the cold winter months, try to get exposed to light early by opening blinds around the house, sitting outside or even going for a walk. 

If you spend your days indoors, the morning hours may be your only opportunity to soak in minimal sunlight. 

You can help your body adjust to the time change by practicing good sleep habits, like shutting off your phone at night.  (iStock)

Most clocks will change on their own. Even though the time change doesn’t officially happen until 2 a.m., you can set your clocks back the night before so that your body can better adjust to the change. 

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One good practice, no matter the time of year, but especially in the colder months, is to establish a good sleep routine. 

Avoid eating or drinking too close to bedtime, practice meditation to calm your body down before bed and grab a book instead of reaching for your phone before bed to limit your screen time. 

Smoking tobacco products has been proven to have negative effects on fertility, according to research.

That includes vaping in addition to traditional cigarettes.

For those who are concerned about fertility or looking to start a family, experts recommend refraining from smoking and vaping.

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Courtney D. Lynch, PhD, a doctor of maternal fetal medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, confirmed with Fox News Digital that it has been “well-established” that smoking has an “adverse impact on both natural and medically assisted conception.”

“While the human data on vaping and fertility are sparse, animal data suggest that vaping is also problematic,” she said. “Nicotine is a well-established reproductive and developmental toxicant.”

Smoking and vaping exposes the embryo to certain harmful compounds, according to Lynch.

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The nicotine in vapes and cigarettes is known to impair the functioning of the cilia in the fallopian tubes, she noted.

This then impairs the “proper transport” of the embryo to the uterus when attempting pregnancy, and it also increases the risk of a tubal or extra uterine pregnancy, according to Lynch.

Smoking and vaping can also alter gene expression, the doctor added.

Vaping and smoking could impair the “proper transport” of the embryo to the uterus, an expert warns. (iStock)

Theodore Wagener, PhD, director of the Center for Tobacco Research and co-leader of the Cancer Control Program at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, referred to scientific literature that suggests smoking “clearly negatively effects fertility.”

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In an animal study published by the National Institutes of Health, vaping was shown to exert “harmful effects” during the implantation process of pregnancy, potentially leading to “various pathologies in the offspring.”

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“In women, smoking damages egg quality and quantity while accelerating egg loss, leading to earlier menopause and increased risks of fertility treatment failure, miscarriage and menstrual irregularities,” Wagener told Fox News Digital.

Smoking can reduce sperm count and quality in men, according to a doctor. (iStock)

For men, smoking can impair fertility by reducing sperm count and quality, damaging DNA and “disrupting testosterone production, which can result in erectile dysfunction,” Wagener noted.

“For vaping, the scientific literature is limited, but it may similarly impact hormone levels, cause DNA damage and increase erectile dysfunction,” he added.

Lynch and Wagener agreed that quitting all nicotine and tobacco products could help improve fertility while limiting exposure to environmental smoke.