Bear the Burden with You, a Prayer

 

Read the passage through slowly. Let the words settle in...

 ¹⁷Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘What you are doing is not good. ¹⁸You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. ¹⁹Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God; ²⁰teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. ²¹You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²²Let them sit as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. Exodus 18:17-22

Inhale:  You will wear yourself out   Exhale: Bear the Burden with You

Inhale:  You will wear yourself out   Exhale: Bear the Burden with You

Inhale:  You will wear yourself out   Exhale: Bear the Burden with You

             Inhale       Exhale

What you are doing is not good.

God,  Show me the places where what I am doing is not good

Show me the words I have spoken that have cause pain

Show me the actions I have taken that harmed another

Help me to look at myself honestly, truthfully,

You will surely wear yourself out,

God, when I have taken on too much

when the too do list keeps getting longer and longer

when the task seem endless

help me see when to let go, for there will always be more to do

For the task is too heavy for you;

God, there are some burdens that are too much

there are some actions that require too much

there are times when the world is just too heavy

help me to set down some of my load

you cannot do it alone. 

God, asking for help is hard

I don’t like to admit where I am week

where I can’t do the things I used to do

asking for help is hard

we are not meant to do this alone

help me to hear when someone reaches out

help me reach out when I am overwhelmed

they will bear the burden with you

God, we have a circle of those who are with us

who share in our joys and sorrows, tears and laughter

be with them this day, lighten their load, and strengthen their love.

As we pray the prayer, closer than out hearts.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.  Amen.