7 Prayers for When Christmas Prep Feels Overwhelming
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The Christmas season is surely a very busy time of year for most. We have homes to decorate, gatherings to host with loved ones, and shopping for gifts to do in addition to all our normal responsibilities. It can add up quickly and begin to feel overwhelming as you consider all the Christmas preparations you have to take care of. Although these preparations are important, we never want Christmas prep to take away the joy of what this season is all about.
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:11-14).
Naturally, we want to spend time with loved ones and participate in being generous, but the main focus of this season is Jesus Christ. If prep is feeling overwhelming, it can be helpful to look to the Bible for truth and spend time with the Lord in prayer. When we look to Scripture, we find guidance and great wisdom that can help us have a right heart and outlook when it comes to managing all our tasks this time of year.
Here are seven prayers for when Christmas prep feels overwhelming.
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1. A Christmas Prayer for Peace
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Heavenly Father,
As joyful as this time of year can be, I feel overwhelmed with all the tasks, preparations, and gatherings ahead of me. I have a lot to do. I want to enjoy this season instead of feeling weighed down by a to-do list. I ask that the peace of Christ would rule in my heart. I know that through Jesus, I have perfect peace available to me. I pray that I would embrace peace and not let everything going on overwhelm me or take away the joy of this blessed Christmas season.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
2. A Christmas Prayer for the Lord’s Help
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Gracious Lord,
You are so good and kind. You are faithful and always take care of me. This season, I find myself feeling consumed and exhausted with all the responsibilities and planning for the Christmas holiday. I do not want to be anxious and overwhelmed right now. I ask, Lord, that You would help me to cast all my anxieties upon You. I want to let go and lay all my worries at Your feet so that I can savor this sweet time of year as we celebrate the birth of King Jesus.
I pray this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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3. A Christmas Prayer for the Right Perspective
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
My Lord and Savior,
I come to You with gratitude in my heart for Your coming into this world to save humanity. Lately, I have felt overwhelmed and consumed by everything going on for the Christmas season — get-togethers, parties, decorating, and all the tasks I have. Instead, I want to set my mind on You. Help me to keep in my mind and heart what this season is all about, that born in the city of David was a Savior, Jesus Christ my Lord. That is truly what this season is all about. I pray that I would keep that at the center of all I do so that I will not feel overwhelmed, but rather, have joy and hope in my heart.
I ask in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
4. A Christmas Prayer for the Best Use of My Time
“’All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Merciful God,
You have given us freedom to make choices and live our lives in intentional ways. I find myself completely consumed with Christmas preparations this year. I know Your word teaches that all things are lawful, but not everything I do can be helpful. Lord, I pray I would use my freedom, my days, and my time to do what is good. Help me not to be dominated or overcome by the responsibilities, tasks, and prep that goes into the Christmas season. I want all that You have for this time of year, so help me to do the things that are helpful and not hurtful.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
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5. A Christmas Prayer for the Right Motive
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Heavenly Father,
This time of year I look around and feel like I must keep up with everyone else. I worry that I am not doing enough — not enough gifts, not enough festivities, not enough decorations, not enough hosting. It can feel defeating and overwhelming. Lord, I want to have the right heart in everything I do. Whatever I do, Lord, I want to do to the glory of God. I do not want to do things this Christmas season to impress others or to make myself look good. Help me to surrender the need to keep up and help me to let go of feelings of not being enough. Let me instead keep my focus on doing things to bring glory to You.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
6. A Christmas Prayer for Rest
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2).
Heavenly Father,
You are a good God who gives me just what I need. This year, as Christmas nears and the holiday season is filling up, I am feeling overwhelmed and under pressure. Some of the pressure comes from external circumstances, and some comes from my own expectations to do more than I can do. I look to Scripture and find great comfort that You give me rest. Lord, help me to rest, to lie down, and to let You lead me into peaceful, quiet moments. Help me to slow down, to pace myself, and to not let all the preparations of this time of year exhaust and overwhelm me. Let me rest and be refreshed in You.
In Jesus’ name I ask,
Amen.
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7. A Christmas Prayer to Do What Is Better
“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42).
Loving Lord,
You know exactly what I need and You know exactly how I am feeling. You know the tasks and responsibilities that fill up my days and weeks. With Christmas approaching, it seems like there is even more to do. I feel overwhelmed with everything I have to take care of and get done this holiday season. I think of Martha who found herself running around trying to take care of the home, when all You wanted was for her to sit at Your feet and rest in Your loving presence. I pray, Lord, that I would do what is better and wiser each day. There is a time for taking care of the responsibilities I have, and there is a time to simply stop and spend time with You and loved ones. Help me to find the balance this season.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
As we celebrate and honor the birth of Jesus this time of year, the reality is that our calendars fill up, our day-to-day to-do lists get longer, and it can feel overwhelming to keep up with everything that’s going on. God does not want us feeling anxious and consumed, rather, He wants for His children peace, hope, and rest.
These seven prayers are helpful when Christmas prep starts to feel difficult and stirs up your anxiety and concerns. Lean into God for help and He will guide you through so that you can have a meaningful and blessed Christmas season.
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