A Prayer to Minister to Those Who Are Suffering Burnout

Burnout can show up in many ways. The Bible doesn’t diminish this form of pain and suffering. Instead, it recognizes the complexity of it and how it comes upon us. Scripture tells us, “ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). In these verses, Paul is referring to multiple types of suffering – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. What makes this experience complex is the fact that when burnout shows up, several of these types of suffering are often involved which can take a major toll on our spirit. It’s important that we recognize that burnout is a battleground. Yet, we can fight back with the help of God.

It is likely that you will experience burnout in a way that cannot be adequately understood through a single approach. When the complexity of suffering rears us its head, we will find ourselves ill-equipped to deal with the ramifications. However, when we engage with Scripture and understand what the Bible has to tell us about what we’re going through, it can broaden our perspective and enable us to make sense of our circumstances in a new way.

The burnout that someone may be experiencing is an opportunity to minister. The comfort of God that we can extend to others isn’t limited to the church and is not limited to shared experience. Paul writes, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28).

Paul’s idea is not that we must suffer the same thing as another person in order to minister the hope and comfort of God. What is needed is an experience of deliverance from affliction, comfort in grief and restoration in brokenness. These experiences remind us of who God is and what He can do. They are a silent testimony of healing and wholeness that enable one to invite God to be present in the pain of another.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to bring a person that I know who is suffering out of their pit.
May I be a vessel to help them restore their relationship with You. Amen.