30 Days of Prayer: Burdens

“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, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.'” Matthew 11:28-30

His yoke fits perfectly. I must remember this truth, that the Lord knows me more than I know myself. Another truth, God knows that I am more comfortable with my pride than in putting my trust in him. Even the very words that I have to express my worry and insecurities to God can feel inadequate to me and the pride of not being enough can hold me back from talking to him. The humility of the Lord is my example.

On the days that I am willing to mimic a fraction of his humility and ask God to expose the hidden and dark places within me, the depth of my unbelief and brokenness—the light, the life of Jesus comes in. To these very places his word teaches me that he doesn’t leave me alone in my weariness. In fact, not only is he present in my time of trouble, but Jesus himself is interceding for me and rejoices in the very fact that I recognized, even for a moment, where my true source of life can be found. His gentleness brings not condemnation but freedom from my many self-inflicted burdens and rest for my soul because my soul was one that he died for.

Prayer:

Father, thank you that you already know how weary I am from struggling with the burdens I have today. Help me to lay this “heavy yoke” of my pride at your feet and to replace it with your perfectly fit yoke instead. Teach me what it means to find rest for my weary soul and help me to accept your word as my source of truth rather than my own understanding. Thank you that I do not need to fear for you are with me, you are my peace, hope and everlasting joy.

For Reflection:

What holds you back from bringing your burdens to Jesus? Do you wrestle with your pride and make the excuse that it’s not that bad? Or, like me, do you wrestle with the fear of how He will answer if you are vulnerable to ask? I am learning that our fears and insecurities are normal human responses that simply show us our need for Jesus. I am beyond thankful for the truth of Psalm 145:8. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich (constant) in love. You and I will never regret bringing our burdens to our compassionate God who will lighten our load and bring us rest.

By Regina Knapp