A prayer for the overburdened, written by Pastor David McGee, read by Emily Hall.

On the third day, we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands,

acts 2719. Did you know that ships have a line drawn along the whole to indicate their burden?

If the line goes too far beneath the water, the sailors know there is too much cargo on board.

This allows the sailors to take the necessary steps to avoid disaster.

Wouldn't it be great if we had indicators on us?

In acts 27, Paul, now a prisoner, was taken by ship to Rome where he and the ship's crew

encounter a mighty storm.

In danger of shipwreck, the ship's crew threw overboard the cargo.

They had once considered necessities.

Timing and events can really change the way we look at things. We fill our lives with

tackle and rigging that is not important to the eternal plan. Often we get distracted by those things

and cling to them rather than to God.

We think, oh, I need this, or I just can't live without that. But soon, overburdened, we hit a storm and sink.

Hebrew 12. 1 says, therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses

to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily

hinders our progress, and let us run with endurance the race that God has set

before us.

What's in your cargo hold? Are you carrying bitterness? Is there someone you need to forgive?

Is your ship laden with shame? Are you hauling around guilt or sin? In Matthew 11 28 through 30, Jesus said,

Come to me, all you who labor in our heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me

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