Oh Lord,

I am weary and tired. Life is so hard. You tell me to come to you when I am weary and burdened, yet I don’t even know where to start.

You say you will give me rest. I earnestly desire to rest from these burdens! They are so heavy and I’m so tired of carrying them.

You tell me to take your yoke because it is easy and light. I don’t understand how that can be, but I’m willing to try. I really have nothing left to lose, do I? I don’t know how to take your yoke. I don’t feel like I can because I’m carrying so much.

Wait a minute, does this taking up your yoke thing mean I need to put my load down? This load is comfortable, even if it’s heavy.

You say to learn from you because you are gentle and humble. I’m hurting so much that gentle is all I can handle right now. You alone have all the knowledge and wisdom I need to live. I love you and learning your ways will make life less burdensome. Oh, to lessen the load! Teach me! I am willing!

Wait, what did you say? Lay my burden at your feet and leave it there? I don’t know Lord, I’ve carried this a long time. It would be hard to leave it.

I’d be losing a lot by laying this burden on you Lord. My load is a conversation starter not only with you but also everyone else. What would I talk about? Sunshine and rainbows? Yeah, right, not everything in life is sunshine and rainbows. Everyone I know complains about something, even if it’s just the weather.

By laying my burden on you I’d lose my purpose in life. This load defines me. I wouldn’t know what to do. Answer me this, what would I do instead? What kind of load would I carry? Yours? You say it’s easy and light, but I’m not sure about that. You’re the creator of the universe. Your load of running the universe is too big and heavy for me. By comparison, my load is so much lighter and smaller.

Lord, you know I don’t like change. Laying this down would definitely change my life and I don’t see how it’d be good.

I’m not really sure I can do this Lord. You know, to lay this burden down, take up your yoke and learn from you. It just all seems too much. So you know what Lord, I’ll keep my comfortable burden. Please give me the strength to carry it.

Amen.

(Prayer based on Matthew 11:28-30)