Hello, Warrior. (Yes, I'm talking to you!)

You may feel weary or even exhausted, burned out, at the end of your rope...at the end of yourself.

I'm here to tell you that it's okay. You don't have to feel like a warrior to be a Warrior. You don't have to look like a powerful Woman of God to be one. You are the Daughter of the King, but that doesn't exempt you from the need for rest. It doesn't mean you have unlimited stamina, even when you're doing the work of the Lord.

You are not less for struggling. In fact, acknowledging the struggle and confessing you aren't enough is the key to an abundant, powerful life:

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

“Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.” - Psalm 46:10 (NASB)

Consider this an invitation to rest. Rest from the expectations and demands of others. Rest from the constant, nagging feeling you haven't done enough. Rest from the false responsibilities you've yoked yourself to.

Grant yourself permission to be still.

Breathe.

If you are able to, go for a walk or simply sit with your coffee and stare out the window. Find a quiet place to commune with God in silence, with no agenda and no need for words.

Part of why Alana and I do what we do here at Praying Christian Women is to create a place of rest and encouragement. Our 30-60 minute podcast episodes are designed to make you feel like you've just sat down with friends for a life-giving conversation, whether you listen in the car, while doing housework, while nursing a baby or on your lunch break at work.

Our latest episode is all about spiritual burnout, which is a very real thing. If you're experiencing spiritual weariness, we think this episode might bring you some encouragement (and some practical tips too!).

Last week we had the privilege of talking with Krissy Nelson about her book Say Goodbye to What Holds You Back: Shatter the Walls Surrounding You and Believe What God Says about You. You won't want to miss this power-packed conversation!

And if you're feeling weary today, we'd also love to leave you with a prayer:

Loving Father, we come before you acknowledging that we are simply not enough - but you are. We are thankful beyond words that when we come to the end of ourselves we find that you are there, and have been all along. We confess that we've taken on a yoke that is heavy and burdensome. A yoke of the expectations and demands of others, of false responsibilities, of a slavish devotion to productivity and idolatry of busyness.

We repent of any hint of pride and for any failure to acknowledge you as the source of our strength. We also repent of believing rest is bad, of denying ourselves permission to admit we are weary. We choose to rest in your loving arms, and to receive your approval and love - not for anything we've done or could ever do, but for who we are: Daughters of the King.

We choose to take on the yoke of Jesus: his yoke is easy, his burden light. Silence any voice but the voice of the Shepherd. Help us to know what responsibilities, ministries, activities, and even prayer burdens are from you and which can be released. Renew our strength to live the lives you've made us for, to extend grace to ourselves and others, to glorify you in everything we do, and to reflect the love of Jesus to everyone around us. Amen.