There are good days and there are bad days, aren’t there? I admit, my worst day probably looks better than the best day of many in the world. But stresses and pressures and heartaches and annoyances can pile up, can’t they? When they do, it’s sometimes hard to breathe, sometimes hard to put one foot in front of the other.

It’s been an exhausting season, for many reasons. The weight is lighter now, but one day when it felt especially suffocating, I could hardly wait to get downstairs in the morning and pour it all out in my prayer journal.

I don’t normally share such things here, but for some reason, I feel compelled to do so today. If you’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed, I hope you realize you’re not alone. I know how you feel. More importantly, so does God.

Here’s what I had to say to Him about it last week:

Lord, I am coming to you today with many burdens, more than yesterday. They are weighing me down and I want to cast them at your feet, but it seems like as I cast, more come.

Nothing is too hard for you, Lord. Nothing is too heavy. I am weak and heavy laden, and I have more questions than answers.

Please show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy. Please send your light and your truth, let them lead me. Please guide me in your truth; your Word is truth. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Your Word says that you will fight my battles for me, that I need only to be still. Help me to be still and know that you are God, that you will be exalted on the earth and among the nations.

The details of my life are swarming around in my head, Lord, confusing me and stressing me out, but you know the way that I should take. Please grant me wisdom, the kind that only comes from you.

Please cleanse my heart and forgive my bad attitudes. Help me to trust in you, help me to rest in you, help me to come to you for protection and provision.

You are not only my God, but you are the God of my loved ones. You don’t just care for me, you care for them. Nothing escapes your view, nothing is a surprise to you.

You go before us all and are with us all. You will never leave us nor forsake us, so we don’t have to be afraid or discouraged.

I confess now, though, that I am both afraid and discouraged. More discouraged than afraid, which for me is worse.

Fill my heart with your peace today, Lord Jesus. Help me to remember who you are and to rest in your presence.

Amen.

♥ Lois

Note: The prayer above draws from the following scriptures: Psalm 16:11; Psalm 43:3; Psalm 25:5; John 17:17; Psalm 19:14; Exodus 14:14; Psalm 46:10 and Deuteronomy 31:8.