Overcoming Burnout through Prayer, Community, and the Sacramental Life
By Protodeacon David Keim
The legal profession is both intellectually demanding and emotionally taxing. We often face strict deadlines, high-stakes disputes, and the pressure to perform flawlessly before clients and tribunals. Add the constant mental engagement required for research, drafting, and negotiation, and it’s no wonder that burnout is a common and serious challenge. Yet, as Orthodox Christians, we have access to a wellspring of spiritual nourishment that can help us navigate these demands without losing ourselves.
Prayer
At the heart of our tradition is the practice of prayer—not merely as a self-help strategy, but as genuine communion with the Holy Trinity. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, our prayer becomes a wellspring of renewal, sanctifying our thoughts and actions, even in the face of professional adversity.
Prayer reminds us that we are never alone, that the Creator Himself is intimately involved in our struggles and our triumphs. Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers consistently point to prayer as a lifeline that not only connects us with Christ but also sets our hearts and minds on the Kingdom. A simple daily rule—morning and evening prayers, together with the continuous invocation of the Jesus Prayer—trains our hearts to dwell in stillness, even amid the relentless demands of legal work. This intentional turning to God throughout the day protects us from the frenetic pace of the legal world and leads us naturally to our second pillar: communion with one another in the Church.
Community
Closely intertwined with prayer is community. While many see the law as an individualistic pursuit—each lawyer for himself or herself—Orthodoxy teaches us that personal spiritual growth and communal support go hand in hand. Attending divine services, culminating in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and reception of the Eucharist, not only strengthens our bond with one another but nourishes our very souls with the life of Christ.
The Apostolic exhortation to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) takes on special significance in an environment where stress, deadlines, and competition can feel overwhelming. By shouldering the burdens of our clients, we actively follow Christ’s commandment of love, bringing the spirit of the Gospel into our advocacy and counsel. By sharing our own concerns with spiritually minded colleagues and mentors—especially those who understand the unique pressures of legal practice—we find both empathy and practical guidance.
Sacramental Life
Intentionally and regularly participating in the sacramental life of the Church further grounds us. Confession not only cleanses our conscience but also lifts the weight of accumulated stress. Spiritual counsel from a priest or mentor helps us untangle both personal and professional knots, ensuring that we remain anchored in Christ while fulfilling our duties to clients and the community. Setting aside time for retreats—whether personal, with a spiritual director, or in small groups—deepens our reliance on God’s grace and reminds us of the bigger picture: we are sojourners in this life, called to embody Christ’s love and justice in every aspect of our work.
Conclusion
Ultimately, burnout need not define our journey. While the demands of the law are real, so too is the transformative power of prayer and the refuge found in Christian community. When we ground our practice in these pillars, we not only find balance and resilience for ourselves, but also become instruments of peace in a profession that urgently needs it.
Protodeacon David Keim is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel--Corporate at SAS Institute Inc., a multinational software and analytics company. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Orthodox Youth & Young Adult Ministries Agency; Integrated Decisions and Systems, inc.; and T3D Therapeutics, Inc. He was ordained to the diaconate in 2004 and serves at All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church in Raleigh, NC.
© 2025 David Keim