5 Verses to Pray When You Are Overwhelmed
“Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is.”
~ AW Tozer
It’s true, isn’t it?
When hurricanes hit literally or figuratively it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
One of the things I tend to forget when my life feels out of (my) control and I’m tangled in a web of confusion and frustration is that God is bigger than my overwhelming storm.
So often, I end up wondering why I let anxiety spin out of control when the peace of God’s presence is only a prayer away . . . knowing that He is able to calm my anxious heart and give me hope.
I’m holding these verses and prayers close for the next time I’m feeling overwhelmed…
5 Verses to Pray When You Are Overwhelmed
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him
because He cares for you. (NIV)
Father, You are Lord of all creation. Everything is under Your command and control. And yet, Your Word says You see me. You know the number of hairs on my head. You’re are able to handle the greatest problem and care about the smallest detail. Thank you! I am overwhelmed about _________. I want to surrender my worry and trust that You walk before me to guide me, beside me to strengthen me, and behind me to guard me. Help me, Father. In Jesus name, Amen.
Psalm 55:22
Give your burdens to the Lord,
and He will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. (NLT)
Father, It’s hard to breathe. Busyness and anxiety deplete me. I’m exhausted. And I’m sorry because I know that’s not Your plan for me. So, here I am laying my burdens at Your feet. Show me Your will and make me a better steward my time, my money, and my relationships. I need You, Father. There are so many commitments vying for my time and attention. Help me make wise choices. I can’t do it all but I can with Your help, accomplish Your plans and purposes for me. Amen.
Psalm 142:1–3a
I cry out to the Lord;
I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
I pour out my complaints before Him
and tell Him all my troubles.
When I am overwhelmed,
You alone know the way I should turn. (NLT)
Oh, Father, sometimes I’m overwhelmed by life that just happens to me but too often I’m overwhelmed by circumstances of my own making. Forgive me. I want to make wise choices. So, I come to You for mercy . . . humbled that I can come to You even when I’m overwhelmed by my own choices. I turn to You, asking You into every detail of my life trusting You will guide me by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.
Isaiah 40:28–29
Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless. (NLT)
Father, When I am tired; You are not. When I am overwhelmed; You are not. When I don’t know what to do; You know and guide me. When I am weak; You are strong. Thank you, Father. This truth is too great to fully understand; yet, is gives peace to my overwhelmed mind and heart. I can rest in Your promises and love. Amen.
Romans 8:37–38
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. (NLT)
Father, One thing is important . . . when I am overwhelmed, Jesus is the Rock on which I stand. Nothing can change that. Whatever happens in this life . . . Your love wins and lasts forever and always. Nothing can ever take it away. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.
Father, You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(Oceans by Hillsong United)
Lay your overwhelm down and trust the One who loves You and able to help You through and give you His peace. You are His and He is more than able.
What verse do you hold close when you’re overwhelmed?
For a while a few years ago, I was reading Isaiah 40 each night before going to sleep as a reminder of how big God is. I think I need to return to that practice.
Such incredible comfort in these verses and prayers at this overwhelming time for so many in our nation. Thank you, Deb, for reminding us that God has this, and we do not ever have to wallow in the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Blessings!
God is so much bigger than any overwhelming storms and hurricanes we face each season of our lives. What a blessed truth that is know as a child of God.
Nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the Love of Jesus Christ today.
Glad to link up with you today
Blessings,
Diana
Deb, your ability to tuck the scripture in our hearts through prayer is such a blessing! Thank you…praying these scriptures today and sharing with others:)
Hi Deb! What a blessing to see you feature me today! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! This is the first time I’ve ever been featured anywhere, so it means a lot to me! The Lord used you to encourage me today – thank you for being His servant! And I want to encourage you today too – your writing is so Spirit-filled. Today’s post is timely and spot on with all that’s going on. And I love how you incorporate so much Scripture. Also, the song Oceans has been one of my favorites for a while – thanks for reminding me of those powerful lyrics. God bless you Deb, my new friend! You have made my day special! Thank you so much!
Deb,
How timely your post is. It has been a week of overwhelm. Usually, when I feel that way it is something big, and I understand it. But this week it has been an accumulation of many many things, and I couldn’t understand it. I kept thinking I have done bigger so whats the deal. Thank you for the verses. Usually, when I feel overwhelmed I write down on a piece of paper – GOD IS BIG.
Maree
So encouraging…love these verses! Sharing with a friend today! Thank you for sharing my post!
Thanks for the reminder of these powerful promises from our ever-faithful Father. Many blessings, Deb!
Hi Deb! I love these prayers…they are so soothing and needed for those anxious times. Thank you so much for sharing them!
Gosh so timely to read this. Sometimes I wish I can clone myself so I can finish everything stat.
Thanks for these.
Love this, Deb! So timely as I send 4 back to school and get into a new routine with the 3-year-old.
Thank you for blessing me with some helpful tips!
Thanks, Julie! I think the start of the school year is one of the hardest adjustments we make. Praying God will cover you all with His peace and give you the patience you need. God’s blessings!
I love each of these verses, Deb, but especially Romans 8:37-38! That’s one of my faves and often provides the encouragement I need when my emotions and situation start to falter. Thanks for the linkup, my friend!
Today my feelings hit rock bottom, I have been sad and confused in great torment of betrayal from family I have loved so much. I feel like on a new island with mountains of troubles to deal with with a very tiny heart to engage them. My senses were becoming too faint to feel God’s mercy and love. Your writing has greatly helped to lift me up. Especially Romans 8: 37-38. Now I know my God is bigger than my problems and loves me. Nothing should separate me from Him.
I am greatly blessed
I’m so sorry, Lillian. I know the pain of being rejected and betrayed by people I loved dearly. It’s heartbreaking. I’m so glad these verses and prayers encouraged you. God does love you and nothing can ever change that or take it away. God bless you!
My favorite is Psalm 55:17 evening, morning, and at noon will I cry aloud and He shall hear my voice.
Thank you Sister. Beautiful reading to inspire my weary, overwhelmed life. God bless you and yours.
Pls pray for me and my family to overcome from our financial problem
I am praying for you, Roseline!
Please pray for my daughters to find godfearing partners
We’re joining you in prayer, Joyce. God bless you!