When it comes to prayer and we find ourselves at a loss for words, it’s okay. In times like this, we can pray by the Spirit. Romans 8:26-27 says: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27 ESV)
I love that we don’t always have to know what to pray, because prayer isn’t about saying all the right things. Much of prayer is about being in God’s presence. God understands that sometimes we won’t have the words, and that’s why He has gifted us with the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf when we can’t pray for ourselves.
I know I’ve personally experienced times where I’ve been so hurt or so overwhelmed that when it was time for me to sit down and pray, only tears came out. But you know what? God understands that too. Our prayers may not always be nice words or neatly strung together sentences. Sometimes our prayer will be our cries and moans to God. It may be us praying in our prayer language as we let the Spirit lead. That’s perfectly fine because as God’s beloved, filled with His Holy Spirit, He knows the deepest longings of our hearts that our mouths sometimes can’t form the words to say.
Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us when we don’t have the words. Help us to trust in Your Spirit’s guidance and find comfort in knowing that You understand our deepest longings. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflect: What steps can you take to be more open to the Spirit’s guidance in your prayer life?