Weakness
I have more troubles
than I can count.
My sins are all around me,
and I can’t find my way.
My sins outnumber
the hairs on my head,
and I feel weak. ~ Psalm 40:12,13 (CEV)
(Jesus said,) Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. ~ Matthew 11:28 (CEB)
Lord Jesus, I feel weak and empty inside. I have too much responsibility and not enough help to accomplish all that is expected of me. I am overloaded with failure and sin in my life -- things which I hold onto but which I need to let go. Since you have offered, I am turning it all over to you. You are strong and able. You are willing and kind. Many people seem to find pleasure in picking on the weak and reciting my weaknesses. But you do the opposite. I'm relieved at your invitation to give me the rest I need. Thank you. I'm trusting in you to recharge my empty batteries. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
NRSVue = New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (© 2021 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.) NTE = New Testament for Everyone (©2011 Nicolas Thomas Wright.)
REB = Revised English Bible (© 1989 Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press) TCEB = The Casual English Bible (© Stephen M. Miller)