Have you ever been in a season where you’re extremely aware of how weak you are? I’m talking about one of those seasons where you see reality: you can’t carry everything on your own. Maybe there’s a family health crisis, new pressure at work, broken relationships, and about eight other things I could keep listing.
In those moments, the weight of everything may feel like compounding interest that has added up. We begin to feel weak and unable to bear the load before us. If you’ve ever been there, even prayer can feel exhausting.
Here are five prayers to start with as you bring these feelings before the Lord.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” – Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Heavenly Father, I’m feeling so weary and I know I’m carrying a heavy burden. I need the rest that Jesus has spoken of in this verse. I lay down all the things that I’m holding on to. Every single issue and weight that I am trying to carry by myself, I lay before You. I relinquish the false sense of control that I may be trying to grasp onto by bearing these things alone. Please help me, God, to lay all of this down and to take up the yoke that Jesus has extended to me. Bring me Your peace and rest today and help me to know what You want me to take off my plate if I can. Amen.
“Each time [God] said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Lord, I need You to reassure me that these verses are true. Would you work in the places where my weaknesses are most evident to show Your strength? You know every situation I am in. You know the times that I may feel ill-equipped or even unable to go through my day. Lord, I’m asking for Your strength to show up. I confess my weakness so that Your power can work through me. I have no other option but to confess my inability and rely on Your ability to do more than I could ever imagine. Amen.
“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin.” – 1 Corinthians 1:28-30 NLT
Heavenly Father, if there is any way that I’ve been trying to make myself feel more important or seem important to the world, I repent. I turn from this and I ask that You remind me that I am unable to boast in Your presence about anything. If there is anything within me that takes on more than I can carry because I’m trying to prove something, please remove it right now. Lord, I know I have been made right with You because of Jesus. I know that I have nothing to prove. Allow me to rest from doing more, proving myself, or seeking to be viewed by others as better than those around me. Help me rest in what You think of me and what Jesus has secured for me. Amen.
“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” – Jeremiah 31:25 NLT
Heavenly Father, I am so weary. I ask for the rest that You have spoken of in this section of Scripture to be given to me. As I confess my need for You, I ask that there be a peace I begin to feel. Calm the need within me to do more and strive. Calm the need within me to earn more and be seen as competent. Help me to be okay with taking time away. Help me to rest, God. Show me ways that I can move closer to You and further from the noise today. Give me wisdom to know what to do practically to rest. Help me to lean on those around me for support when I may need it. Amen.
