A Prayer for the Tired
For the ordinary evening when the day has asked more than we had to give.
God of the long day, we come to you with nothing polished.
We bring the work we finished and the work we did not. We bring the words we meant kindly and the words that landed hard. We bring the people we carried in our thoughts and could not help.
You know the weight of it. We do not have to explain.
Give us rest that is more than sleep. Loosen the grip of tomorrow before it arrives. Where we are anxious, steady us. Where we are proud, soften us. Where we have been unkind, show us the small way back.
Keep those we love through the dark hours. Keep the strangers we never think of. Keep the ones who will not rest tonight because their work is to watch over others.
And when morning comes, let us begin again, unhurried, with mercy enough for the day.
Amen.
More in prayer
A Prayer for the Tired
For the hours when the work is not finished and the strength is nearly gone.
A Prayer for the Tired
For those who come to the end of the day with little left to give.
A Prayer for the Tired Morning
A prayer for anyone who begins the day already weary, asking God for strength that is enough for this hour.
