An Evening Prayer for Laying Down What Was Never Mine to Carry

Lord, You know how I carry in the shopping,
every bag at once, so I won't have to make two trips.
My fingers go white. My arms shake.
But I won't put anything down.

I carry my life the same way.
Other people's problems, as if I could solve them.
Old regrets I picked up years ago and never set down.
Responsibilities that belong to someone else,
and decisions that were never mine to make.

Tonight, help me sort through the bags.
What is truly mine, help me carry well tomorrow.
What belongs to someone else, help me hand back.
And what belongs to You, which is most of it,
let me lay it at Your feet and leave it there.

You carry our burdens every day.
You have been carrying mine all along,
even when I wouldn't let go of the handles.
So tonight I put the bags down.
You are strong enough for all of them.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this when you go to bed still carrying other people's troubles, or a regret you have held for years. Say it slowly, and picture setting each bag down one at a time.

A Verse to Hold On To

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation." — Psalm 68:19 (BSB)