I Must Tell Jesus: Praying First, Not as a Last Resort

Trusting God When the Burden Feels Too Heavy to Bear

I’m no different from anyone else—I’m just a woman who loves the Lord and desires to walk in obedience. And sometimes, obedience means running to Jesus first rather than trying to shoulder burdens alone. Recently, I was reminded of this powerful truth when I found myself burdened by a situation beyond human ability to fix.

I had just received a request for prayer—one so heavy my heart physically ached. The weight of it made me want to call my siblings, prayer group, and closest friend, knowing they would intercede alongside me. But I couldn’t. The individual who shared the details of the situation did so in confidence, and I had to respect that trust.

As I stood in my kitchen, making soup and chopping vegetables, I turned on my favorite instrumental hymns station. That’s when an old, familiar song filled the air—“I Must Tell Jesus” by Elisha A. Hoffman. It had been decades since I last heard it, yet the lyrics came flooding back as though no time had passed.

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone…

Tears welled up, my throat tightened, and I could not even whisper the words. But my heart prayed. Right there, in my kitchen, I poured out my burden before the Lord—the only One who could truly help.

Prayer: Our First Response, Not a Last Resort

Too often, we treat prayer as an emergency exit rather than our first step. We exhaust all options before falling to our knees, as if God were the backup plan instead of the sovereign Lord over all. But Scripture tells us otherwise:

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” — Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

God invites us to come to Him first. He is not only able to bear our burdens but willing to do so. He is our compassionate Savior, our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Trusting God When No Solution Is in Sight

The situation I prayed over still needs a miracle. I see no human solution, yet I have peace because I know I must tell Jesus. The problem is not mine to solve, but it is mine to lay at His feet.

Maybe you, too, are carrying a burden that feels impossible. Perhaps you’re facing a situation where the only answer is divine intervention. Friend, let me remind you: Jesus can help you, Jesus alone. Take it to Him first. Let Him carry what you were never meant to hold.

A Call to Prayer

Instead of prayer being our last resort, let’s make it our first defense. Before we turn to others, let’s turn to Jesus. He is not just a kind and compassionate friend—He is the One who holds all power and authority.

What burden do you need to place at His feet today? Take a moment now, wherever you are, and tell Jesus.