Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Isa. 43:2
Lord Jesus, you sit on the throne of grace with much joy, great gentleness, and burden-bearing love. “Hallelujah.” When we feel our weakest—when we feel like “flickering candles” you don’t critique us, or simply fix our wick.
You shower us with welcome, mercy, and compassion, You promise a rest you alone can give. Again, “Hallelujah.”
Many of us are near exhaustion, and we don’t know it. We keep pushing through this strange season calling it “the new normal.” It’s not. If we keep pushing without Sabbath-rest, Gospel-peace, and heart/body/mind-refreshment it’s not going to get pretty.
Others of us are truly weary, and we do know it. We bring you the weight of having longer “must-do” lists than hours in the day. We bring you the wait of wanting, hoping, needing things to change. We bring you ourselves.
Jesus, help us accept the reality of our emotional depletion, mental tiredness, and physical limits. By whatever means, through whomever you choose, help us. Grant us grace, friends, and strength for the next stretch in front of us. And intensify our compassion for fellow travelers. Everyone benefits from kindness. So very Amen we pray, in your kind and trust-worthy name.