When it is said
On the feast of Pentecost, Orthodox churches read the passage in which God answers this prayer and gives the Spirit to 70 elders.
Anyone can pray these two verses when looking after others has become too much to carry alone.
Where it comes from
Author known
A people crying out for meat
In the desert the people of Israel grew tired of eating nothing but manna. They wept for meat and remembered the fish they had eaten in Egypt. Again and again they cried out to Moses for meat. With none to give them, Moses turned to the Lord.
Numbers 11:4-6 (Berean Standard Bible); Numbers 11:13 (Berean Standard Bible)
God’s answer
The Lord told Moses to bring 70 of Israel’s elders to the tent of meeting, where He would give them some of the Spirit that was on Moses. “They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself,” He promised. Moses gathered the 70 around the tent, and the Lord came down in the cloud and placed the Spirit on them.
Numbers 11:16-17 (Berean Standard Bible); Numbers 11:24-25 (Berean Standard Bible)
The Scripture in it
So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people?”
I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me.
Bible text: Berean Standard Bible, public domain.