Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matt. 11:28-29 (ESV)
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Isa. 43:2 (NLT)
Lord Jesus, we praise you for perpetually presiding at the throne of grace, and for doing so with so much joy, gentleness, and burden-bearing love. When we feel our weakest—when we feel like “weak reeds” or “flickering candles,” you don’t judge us, you welcome us; you don’t roll your eyes with disgust, you open your arms with delight. You promise us a rest you alone can give, and we are ready to receive.
We bring you our political angst, social concerns, and global fears. It’s a precarious time in world history—in far away places and in our own communities. Jesus—Prince of Peace, there seems to be so little peace. We’ve never longed more intensely for the fullness of your kingdom. How long, O Lord?
We bring you the weariness that comes from seeking to love well. We bring you our fatigue born from our stories of grief and loss, care-giving and criticism-taking. Lord, help us accept our emotional depletion and mental tiredness. No aspect of our lives is more delightful, and yet more depleting, than our relationships. As parents and spouses, children and friends, grant us grace, wisdom, and strength, Lord Jesus. Give us thick skin and big hearts for loving well and long.
We bring you the exhaustion we feel from having longer “to do” lists than there are hours in the day. Sometimes the sheer “demanding-ness” of life makes us want to get a one-way ticket to a far away place. But since that wouldn’t solve anything, we ask for patience and grace. Help us discern between must-be-dealt-with-now matters, and stuff that can wait.
And, Jesus, please grant us the gift of good, deep, restorative sleep; and free us from our reliance on the stimulants of caffeine and sugar, accomplishments and approval. We trust you for all the grace, friends, and strength we will need, for the days and demands in front of us. Free us to be weak and hopeful, at the same time. So very Amen we pray, in your kind and trust-worthy name.
