Nightly Prayer: Help Carrying Your Responsibilities

Your Nightly Prayer

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2).

SOMETHING TO PONDER

All of us enjoy being on our own at some point—taking time in a quiet corner to read a book, enjoying the solitude in the afternoon sun while the children are occupied, a quiet home after house guests have left. On the other side of craving that alone time, the ache of loneliness can be real or a fear.

From the beginning of time, God never intended for us to do life in solitude. Nor did he intend for us to live with the weight of life’s troubles on our own. More so, God’s plan is for us to live in community with Him and with one another. As part of His family, He takes our burdens, and we are to share each other’s burdens.

Jesus has borne the weight of our sin. In doing life with Him, He tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

We, likewise, are to “carry each other’s burdens.” We do not take on the sin of others as Jesus does for us. But when someone in our spiritual family messes up, we have an opportunity to be Christ-like.

Our instinct might be to gossip, judge, distance ourselves from them, or even tell ourselves we are not like them. But Galatians 6:2 encourages us that just as Jesus has not condemned us, so we move in with gentleness and compassion. We do so keeping a humble eye on our own flaws and faults.

The law of Christ is a lifestyle to imitate. To carry a burden is to copy the self-sacrificing way Jesus lived and loved. It’s what taking up our cross looks like in everyday relationships. We are accountable to God for our own lives, but we are also responsible for helping our neighbors carry the weights that are too heavy for them to lift alone.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord God, thank You for Your Son, who carries the burden of my sin. Thank You for Jesus, who sets the ultimate example of self-sacrificing love. I confess there are times when I have thought myself above certain tasks or certain people. I know there are times when I have judged someone who fell into a trap rather than gently helping them up. I ask for wisdom and discernment to recognize when someone is struggling and when I need to step in to help a brother or sister in Christ who is being crushed by a heavy burden. Give me an attitude and spirit that looks like You—one of humility, gentleness, kindness, and patience to guide my interactions tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

3 THINGS TO MEDITATE ON

Is there anyone in your circle who has "tripped up" recently, where you need to confess that your reaction was judgment instead of a gentle offer to help them heal?
What burden have you been carrying alone that you need to ask for help?
What is one practical, self-sacrificing way you can look like Jesus to a burdened friend or family member tomorrow?

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Rachel Britton is a British-born award-winning author and speaker. Her passion is to help others find comfort and confidence in their daily conversation with God. Her latest book, Pray Naturally: Finding Your Spiritual Confidence as a Woman Loved by God released with Our Daily Bread Publishing. She is the creator of the Amazon Alexa skill: “Alexa, say a prayer,” which offers a simple way for thousands to connect with God each day. Rachel is married with three adult children spread over too many time zones. Connect with Rachel on her blog rachelbritton.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

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