Prayers of Confession on being Overwhelmed

Adapted from 2 Chronicles 20

 Pastor: O Lord, we are in over our heads. So many are the sins that we’ve committed this past week, and they condemn us in your presence. Only because you love us with a never-ending, unbreaking, always and forever love can we even pray for forgiveness. 

All: “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” We’ve been selfish, we’ve been prideful, and we’ve not loved you and your law.

Pastor: Because of Adam’s sin, we are born with sinful hearts, sinful minds, and broken bodies. When we get up in the morning, when we go throughout our day, and when we lie down at night—our sin draws us away from the God who loves us. 

All: This morning, we ask for your forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Not only that, we ask for your help! Renew our desire to love and serve you, to trust in your grace, and to walk in obedience to your law.

Submitted by Dustin Ray

Gracious God, thank you for the responsibilities you have entrusted to us and for all you have given us to fulfill them. Sometimes, Lord, we can feel overwhelmed by the challenges. A part of us wants to shut down, to run and hide. Help us, we pray, not to be afraid. Give us clarity about our part in your great work. Give us courage to do what you place before us. Give us power to accomplish what we would never be able to do on our own. May you receive all the glory! Amen.

Heavenly Father, You are a God of love and Your care for us knows no bounds. And yet, we sometimes feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of life. When our personal situations seem to be spinning out of control, we can find ourselves overwhelmed by anxiety. We confess our lack of trust in your faithfulness towards us. Forgive us for our impatience and instead help us to see where You are already at work in our lives. Steady our minds and fix our hearts upon Your promises and goodness. Fill us with Your joy and encouragement as you renew our thinking. We ask this in the strong name of Jesus, Our Savior. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church