“He won’t crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle” (Isa. 43:2). “Come to me… I will give you rest” (Matt.11:28).
Lord Jesus, you occupy the throne of grace with gentleness and burden-bearing love. That’s good news on this October 23rd, Monday morning. When we feel our weakest—when we feel like “flickering candles,” you don’t critique, lecture, or send us to the local “chandler” (candle maker). You welcome us with compassion and kindness. Thank you.
Some of us are beginning the week weary and wary—needing to be carried more than we need strength to carry on. While the normal demands of life remain, the backlog of unresolved conflicts, chronic messiness, and waiting-fatigue are taking their toll. The devil smells our vulnerability like a bear searching for honey. Jesus, protect us, grace us, shepherd us.
Help us understand the reality of our emotional depletion, trauma stress, mental tiredness, and spiritual spent-ness. When we’re too embarrassed to ask for help, have help knock on our door. When we’re wanting to run, show up on whatever running path we choose.
Jesus, for some of us… this prayer is a calling to have our grace-antenna fine tuned towards friends in fragile places needing rescue. Others of us are the ones needing rescue, and this prayer is the flare we now shoot heavenward. Some of us actually occupy both storylines—called to care and called to collapse on you. We look to you for grace for both—faithful and loving Jesus. So Very Amen.