A Prayer for When You Feel Overwhelmed
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When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s a tough place to be. Overwhelm is an emotion that leaves us feeling helpless and threatens to defeat us. It might begin with worry, or it might stem from circumstances that have snowballed out of control. In my experience, praying is the best response when I start to feel overwhelmed and am wrestling with anxieties. When my soul craves refuge and a fortress, embracing Scripture and prayer always shifts my focus from the trouble at hand to Jesus.
As Psalm 61:2 says, “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” This verse is a powerful reminder that when we’re at our lowest, we can cry out to God, who is our rock, steadfast and unshakable. When the feeling of overwhelm rears its ugly head, let prayer take charge. Allow it to boss around those smothering feelings and remind you that Jesus lives within you. When you embrace this truth, courage and comfort from God’s presence follow. Weakness and confusion are replaced with strength and clarity.
Join me in this prayer when you feel overwhelmed.
A Prayer for When You Feel Overwhelmed
Dear Father,
I’m coming to You today as a tiny child.
One who too often tries to hold all of her belongings alone.
The burden is too large to bear…
My frail shoulders weaken with the weight
And my heart grows anxious.
You said we would have trouble in this world.
But You also said: Take heart;
I have overcome the world.
Would you help me remember
that You are the Overcomer
while I am the overwhelmed?
Would you give me the grace to accept my own limitations
And the faith to accept your unlimited power?
Would you reveal your incredible love once again
that I might soak up its glory?
For it is when your love and power and glory
saturate my spirit
that I am revolutionized
from overwhelmed
to overjoyed.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
I am also reading along! My husband and I are being baptized this Sunday. We have been taking classes for a while now and are finally ready to take this step in our lives and dedicate our selves and our family to christ. I enjoy reading your message and the prayers you come up with. I share them with my sisters and mother and grandmother. We used to be a family that bonded over food and the sopranos and now we are bonding over your words and how we can relate at different ages. Thank you again.
Oh Danielle! Thank you so much for your comment! What a sweet family bonding time. May the Lord bless your new walk in Him!
I am reading the first thread and am ahead in I Samuel. Our Bible Study is in Luke and has been in the New Testament for a year or more so am reading a lot there, too, and also enjoying Psalms…..not following entirely, but happy with where I am and your daily reminders!
You go, Cathy! The point is to stay in God’s Word- no matter how much. 🙂 Thanks for the update!
*I meant to say we shouldn’t quit!! Sorry about that!
Hi Rachel,
There has a lot of overwhelming times in my household the last couple of weeks- and today one of those things got lifted off our shoulders and we are rejoicing in The Lord! It is proof that we should quit and we should continue to trust in The Lord and his plans for us- that in the end he will show us his love! I read Psalm 18 today again and it really shows the love with have to have for god and the love god can have for us!
I am behind in the reading but I am not quitting and I am planning a day where I can “catch up!” Thank you Rachel for inspiring us and giving us a place to share and support each other.
YES to answered prayer! Thanks so much, Nieve, for declaring God’s graciousness. 🙂
A quick note to check in today 🙂
I’m reading!
Have a great weekend everyone … Your alive … And Jesus loves you!
amen!
Hi Rachel,
I’m still behind…I find this prayer touching me right where I am. Thank you!
I just wanted to thank you for the reference for an Isaiah study.
I also wanted to also add to the laying burdens at the feet of Jesus, pouring out your heart. I loved it, and also it caused me to look into it more and I found from 2Kings 19 concerning Hezekiah and the letter from Sennacherib and what transpired when he poured out his concerns before the Lord. It was a battle Hezekiah could not fight on his own.
I appreciate that your blog challenges me to look deeper.
Blessings,
Joanne
Bless you, Joanne! You are so welcome. And now I’m going to have to refresh myself on Hezekiah! Iron sharpens iron, Sister. Have a great weekend!
Rachel, I am still reading along with you. I am thankful for the organization!!
Yay- Thanks Jody!!
AMEN!! Fits me to a “T”. Just dropped 2nd son off at college all the way across the country & then found out we are moving to another state! Loved this Rachel 🙂 And yes, I’m still reading along with you! Being blessed by it day by day 🙂
oh wow- Kim!! So glad you are still reading and praying this prayer for you today!