Sometimes, many of us try to be a lot of things and care about everything, even if we’re not supposed to. We get into a situation where we think about what could happen in the future, what if we chose the other way or how we can make something happen.
When we overthink, we fall into this trap where our minds get overloaded with thoughts that we shouldn’t even be thinking about in the first place. This results in struggling to get some sleep, procrastinating, feeling restless or burdened and worse, anxiety. We end up thinking, “Am I the only one who’s responsible for all these things?
When we feel like things are spiralling downwards with all these unnecessary thoughts, turn to Him. God is the only one who can give us comfort and rest, and when we feel the need to, all we have to do is ask through prayer.
Prayer for overthinking
Almighty God,
I humbly call Your name as my mind is lost in a storm at the moment. I am weakened by the fact that I tried to carry too much and take responsibility for everything. This has made me overthink all the aspects of my life, and I thought I was strong enough to carry it on my own. My pride made me forget that Your presence should have been enough to lighten my load and provide the peace I seek among these thoughts.
My mind has been trying to plan and worry about everything that it has forgotten Your grace and unseen the blessings that I have been experiencing all this time. My mind has forgotten that You are the only one that can give me true comfort and rest. Forgive me, my God, that I have forgotten all these things and that I was not able to lift up my worries to you because I relied on my own strength.
My Lord, as I pray to you, I lift up all my worries and uncertainties that I have. I surrender my heart, mind and spirit so that you may regain control, show me Your will for my life, Lord. Bless me with Your peace so that my mind may find the rest it needs to be renewed. Remind me that I am not alone and that you are always with me. Enlighten my mind and heart so I will never forget Your presence, Lord God. Make me see and appreciate all the good things You have given me and will continue to bless me with so I may never worry again. Make my heart content, oh Lord, that I may never have to overthink again.
All these I pray in Your Holy name. Amen.
Short prayer to calm my mind
Heavenly Father,
Forgive me as I have been relying on my own strength and thoughts that made my mind restless and anxious. Bless me, Father God, so I may never hesitate to call on You again and be reminded that with You, I will find peace. I pray that I may be contented with all the things in the present instead of worrying about what comes next. All these I ask in Jesus’s name, Amen.
The Word of God
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Dymphna
Saint Dymphna,
At a very young age, you stood your ground to protect what you value most, even at the cost of your own life. I ask for your help in lifting my prayers to our Lord, God. I pray that, like you, I may be able to prioritize Him in my life, so I never have to worry about anything else.
May I be able to surrender myself to Him without feeling any regret over sacrificing material things I have. I pray that I can find in my heart to seek Him instead of relying solely on my own strength and abilities.
Saint Dymphna, patron of anxiety,
Pray for us! Amen.
Further reflection
Why do we overthink? While it is not a mental illness, overthinking is a result of stress and anxiety. When our mind is overwhelmed with the latter, several thoughts tend to pop into our minds because we want to try to resolve problems to get over stress and anxiety. Isn’t it ironic how we’re trying to get rid of the stress, but the more we try to solve it, the more we become stressed?
There are many situations in the different aspects of our lives that will cause us to overthink — career, relationship, family or money. When we are placed in such situations, we naturally try to resolve them, and there’s nothing wrong with that. As humans, we’re just trying to survive. But what we forget is that before we rely on ourselves, we should call out to Him. The word of God says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Not being anxious about something is easier said than done, especially if it affects a greater part of our life. But what we need to do is, before we start planning on how to cope with the situation, we pray. We call to God for guidance and strength so we can lift up all our worries to Him. In the scripture, it even says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” God wants us to remember all the good things He did after surrendering to Him; why? Because remembering these, our confidence in Him grows. With all the blessings we have received from Him, our trust is regained, and we are reminded that God never left us. He has always been there and always will be to give us rest when we need it.
What our prayer and the scripture are teaching us today is that when we follow God, His peace will always be with us. There may still be room for worries, but because we trust Him, we will never have to overthink.
Thanks for the powerful words that comfort me