Prayer for when you’re feeling overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed is a common malady in this busy life. I have found it helpful to pray when I’m overwhelmed, for it stops me fretting, which Psalm 37:8 says, only leads to evil. Here is a prayer to pray in seeking God’s comfort and guidance as you trust the Lord afresh:

Gracious God,

I feel the weight of this life, its concerns, my relationships, the varying priorities and the pressure to succeed, but I am comforted that Your Word reminds me that I am enough. My best, my faithfulness, my diligence, my obedience, my discernment; they are all enough. Thank You for these Words of comfort:

For the reminder to focus on what is pure and pleasing to You and praiseworthy and positive—to think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

For the armour of God that I can put on at any time to protect me against the poisonous darts of the enemy—so I can take my stand against the enemy, as I know I don’t war against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

For the fact that, in You, who planned for me to be here, who purposed for me the life I now live, who has prepared me, I have enough, and I am enough. (Psalm 139)

For the reminder that perfect love, Your love, casts out fear, and all I need to do is trust Your love and Your provision for me. (1 John 4:18)

For the truth that You are with me, indelibly through Your Spirit, that You never leave me nor forsake me, and that I can trust Your Presence with me when I face trouble. (Psalm 91; Hebrews 13:5-6)

You call me to remember a golden and everlasting truth; that when I need You most, Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) And I’m so thankful that You don’t resent it or me when I call on You when I most need You. You somehow understand that I call on You when I need You, and You show me that this makes perfect sense to You. And I trust the fact that You never change. (Hebrews 13:8)

You tell me in Your Word that I can take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ—that mastery of mind is possible, provided I put You and Your purposes first, and rest in Your strength in my weakness; for when I’m too weak to be strong, You are my strength. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Lord, in the pain that represents the emotion of this moment when I’m all at sea, bring me to the safe recognition that You have already ordained for me a quietness of soul knowing You are the solution, and that so long as I look to You, it is well with my soul. (Psalm 131)

It is with thanks and praise, even in having felt overwhelmed, that I pray,

In Jesus’ name,

AMEN.

Photo by Carolina Heza on Unsplash