It was a torrential downpour, but I decided to make a dash from the house to the car. Certainly I couldn’t get too wet in 20 yards. Off I went as fast as I could. In a brisk crosswind, the rain pelted me hard from the left side. What looked like a mere 20 yards seemed like a football field. My clothing was drenched from the rain and my shoes became sopping wet as I splashed through the puddles.

By the time I made it to the car, fumbled for my keys, got the door open and slid in, I was a wet rat. I looked at myself in the mirror, saw my soaked, matted hair and thought, “Nice job you fool.”

An umbrella would have solved the problem but I was sure I’d be fine on my own.

Fast forward to today. I was thinking about all the things on my plate, from projects to people, from deadlines to deliveries. They’ve been mounting up. The drizzle has become a steady rain.

God offers me immediate relief from drizzle, rain or downpours in my life. I discovered that wonderful truth this morning and it changed me.

I took a deep breath and remembered this thing called prayer. Had I really committed all these things to God? Yes, I’d prayed in passing, but I knew I needed God’s covering. Kind of like that umbrella in the downpour. I was working so hard to juggle everything and get it all right that I’d left all those things out of my prayer life.

Just discovering this was an encouragement. I felt safe again and I hadn’t even started praying. I paused and prayed in detail for the rain that was falling around me, confidently trusting God instead of me. And wow! It was like I had struck gold.

God will cover you in all you do when you cover your life in prayer. How cool is it that God will take everything on your plate and deal with it his way? He offers you insight, power, relief, peace, confidence and rest. Yes, he will! He promises.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

“By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)

“Casting your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7 ESV)

There’s a benefit far greater than personal relief. And it’s this: You’re trusting the Almighty God with these big things on your plate rather than trusting yourself to work it all out.

Can you imagine what will happen when you give it all to God and watch him step in? He’s infinite. You’re finite. He knows everything. You don’t. He’s all-wise. You’re a wise guy. (I couldn’t resist that).

Enjoy God. Walk under his covering as you cover it all in prayer. Experience his encouragement as he bears the burdens for you.

From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Encouragement, releasing in days.