“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. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26-28
I think these verses are some of the most comforting to me in all of Scripture. How often do I come before my Father, longing to share my heart with him, but not knowing what to say. Sometimes it’s fear. What if God is judging me based on my prayers? Or what if the thing I’m praying for brings challenging situations into my life? Other times I’m tired. My mind is weary and I’m too tired to put my prayers into words. Sometimes it’s feelings of inadequacy. What I’m asking for certainly couldn’t matter to the God of the universe. Other times I’m too upset to pray. I go to speak, but all that comes out are tears of brokenness. Sometimes I’m ashamed to pray. Certainly the perfect God doesn’t want to hear from sinful me again. And yet other times, I’m doubtful. What if I’m praying for the wrong thing, or what if I’m praying myself out of God’s will?
But the Spirit, he prays on my behalf! When I don’t know what to pray, my words, my tears, and my silence are being transformed into a beautiful melody that is too deep for words, yet gains strength as it reaches my Father’s ears. It is a beautiful melody, a melody that moves the very heart of God, for He hears the prayers of his children and longs to draw them near to His heart.
Oh, that my life would be a life of prayer. May we come before our heavenly Father not as a last resort, but as a first response. May we come humbly before his throne, knowing that we are not deserving of His love, but knowing that His unconditional love is more than enough to meet our every need. May we come boldly before Him, knowing that as soon as we turn our thoughts to God, the Spirit is interceding for us. And may we know that our God indeed hears our prayers, and He is working all things for his purposes.
(Update: I didn’t realize until after I posted this that my last post was on the same verse! Oh well, God is always teaching me new things, and He has obviously been bringing this verse to mind lately!)
Wherever Here Is 