Praying For Relief

Praying for Relief

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

WHEN WE THINK OF PRAYING IN FAITH, we may envision a vigorous prayer life energized by God-given passion and persistence. But sometimes we have trouble even praying, much less pressing into our prayers with bold faith. Hope falters, arms hang, and knees feel too feeble to support a prayerful posture. We have a hard time praying when we’re burned out.

God understands. He inspires our prayers with remarkable energy at times, but he also hears the cry of the weak and weary. Even then, he invites us to pray in faith—to lift up a simple request for refreshing, renewal, and restoration. After all, the entire biblical story is about redemption and restoration. If he can lift us out of death and the grave when we are helplessly bound in sin (Ephesians 2:5), he can certainly lift us out of discouragement, depression, and lethargy. In fact, he promises to do so. His Word is full of anticipation for seasons of refreshing and rest. He breathes life into weary souls.

God answers weak prayers and feeble faith. All we have to do is ask, and we can do so confidently based on the promises of his Word. He offers water when we are dry, restoring our strength and making us like an ever-flowing spring in a well-watered garden (Isaiah 58:11). He knows when we walk through painful valleys and promises refreshing springs of blessing on the other side (Psalm 84:6). He lifts the demands of oppressive religion and showers us instead with grace and new life. He assures us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30). He leads us into green pastures and renews our strength (Psalm 23:2-3). In his Kingdom, burnout is simply a phase before rekindling.

Pray with the faith that God is not laying heavier burdens on you but instead is bringing you into places of rest. Understand the seasons of your life, especially that the difficult ones are temporary. Accept his promises of relief and rest. Your refreshing will come like the spring rains, and life will blossom again.

Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what thou art. . . . For by thy transforming power thou hast made me whole.