“Likewise the Spirit also
helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which
cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the
Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will
of God.” – Romans 8:26-27
Have you ever been at a loss
for words? Ever said or thought, “I just don’t know what to say.”? I know I
have. I feel like I ought to say
something but the words will just not come to mind. That is what it is like sometimes when I pray
to God. I want my prayer life to be more
than “Thank you for this food.” or “Help me!” But the words just won’t come to
mind. I was just thinking that sometimes I feel like I “have to” pray when, in
fact, the truth is, I “get to” pray.
Have you heard someone pray –
not in King James English – but it seemed that they were praying from their heart bringing peace to your soul?. Their words blessed you. Or maybe you watched
someone at church pray for the congregation and they were reading something
they had written beforehand. Often it is more like a mini-sermon than an
outpouring of the heart. My point is not to be critical but that we all
struggle with praying spontaneously, revealing our vulnerability and our need to
be heard by the Father.
Have you ever been in a room
with someone, wanting to say something but the words that came to mind did not just
seem to be the right words, so you are silent? Have you ever had someone say to
you - “Why don’t you just say something?”
It is a struggle when what you have to say – what you must say is difficult to say. It
might be “Forgive me.” Or “I am sorry” or perhaps “I need help.” Or “I am
hurting physically or emotionally.” Or …..
We have a hard enough time
when the conversation is with a person – how much more when it is with the
Creator God. Have you ever been with a group of people and they were talking about
things that you just did not understand? Perhaps thinking, “It is better to remain silent at the
risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it.” (People
cannot agree who said it first) I have been there – fearful that I might be shown not a fool so much as ignorant.”
It can make you feel uncomfortable.
“And I will pray the
Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever”
― John 14:16
Because that very same Helper
is in each and every Believer – sealing us for the day of redemption – we are
never at a loss for words when it comes to talking with – praying to God. Praying is a spiritual activity. A conversation
from our hearts to God’s heart. There are deep spiritual truths that we are just
not capable of understanding this side of Heaven. Things that we are not able
to express to God. Not because we have not been to seminary. Not because we have
not memorized enough scripture. It is because we are like children and there
are things that, as spiritual children, we just don’t understand. But God knows that and He has made a way for
us by His Spirit. The helper that Jesus
talked about.
So does that mean that I don’t
have to pray? Of course not! God craves for time with each of us. The Bible is replete with admonitions for us
to pray – above and beyond meal time.
“Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” –
Philippians 4:6-7
But we don’t have to “wax
eloquent” in that conversation. What we
must do is speak from the heart that which we do know to say, and when we are
at a loss for words, the Spirit will help us with the rest. It is really that simple and that wonderful.
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