A prayer for when you feel fragile

Read

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” (Isaiah 42:1-4, NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

Think

There are seasons where all of us feel fragile; vulnerable and teetering on the edge. In those moments it is so important to know that Jesus understands our fragility. He entered into it himself. He will not push us beyond what we can bear, heaping demands upon us. Rather, he will protect, strength and encourage us. 

Take some time to think through these prompts. You may find it helpful to have a flower or a candle in front of you to aid your reflection, or simply picture one in your mind if you prefer. 

• Consider a candle or a flower. Think about how vulnerable and fragile it looks. Blow gently on the flame and watch how it flickers. Reflect on how easy it would be to blow it out. Hold the flower in your hand, and feel how light it is. Reflect on how easy it would be to damage or break the stem. 
• Now imagine that this flame or this flower represents your life. Speak to Jesus about the areas where you feel vulnerable, faint, or fragile. Reflect on the ways he shows gentleness towards you, and thank him for them. 
• What are the things that feel most heavy and burdensome to you right now. Take a moment to list them, and surrender them to Jesus, asking him to carry them with you and on your behalf. 

Speak

Holy Spirit,
Fire that cannot be quenched.
I feel like a flickering flame,
Blown and shaken by my circumstances,
Struggling to stay alight,
Teetering on the edge of extinguishment.
Would you put your hands around me,
To protect me from the storms.
Would you breathe gently upon me,
And reignite me once again.

Holy Spirit,
Water that refreshes and restores.
I feel like a bruised plant,
Battered by this rough season,
Struggling to stay upright,
Wilting and in need of nourishment.
Would you support me and strengthen me,
To help me stand tall and firm.
Would you refresh and nourish me,
And bring colour to my life again.

Gentle Servant,
Who bears our heaviest burdens.
I feel like a weakened ox,
Weighed down by work and expectations,
Struggling to keep moving,
Fearful of falling and not being able to get up.
Would you take the weight of my burdens,
As you took the weight of my cross.
Would you walk with me and teach me,
And give me rest for my soul.

Amen

Share

If you feel fragile and vulnerable, you do not have to bear that alone. Jesus is with you, and he also gives us to one another. It is in bearing each other’s burdens that we fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). You should not feel ashamed about reaching out for help and support. In fact, many people would consider it a privilege to walk with you and encourage you.  

Today, why not do one of the following: 

• Reach out to a trusted friend, tell them how and why you are feeling vulnerable, and ask for their help, whether through prayer or practical support. 
• Consider whether there are friends to whom you can be a support. Even in your own season of fragility, you may still have a contribution to make in supporting others, and sometimes it is in the act of helping others that we receive fresh strength from Jesus himself. 

 

If you need further help and support, please do speak to a member of the Pastoral Support Team ([email protected]) or Prayer Team ([email protected]).