Forty Days of Prayer: Day 34

Journey of Prayer

Day 34

Thursday February 18

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)

Chris made a critical point in her devotion that hit home with me. She wrote, “It is important to note that the Spirit within us will always be aligned with God’s will, knowing exactly what to pray on our behalf,” and that “...our sincere pleas to our heavenly Father are braided together with the perfect words of the Holy Spirit.” A beautifully stated reminder that we don’t have to pray a perfect prayer for God to grasp how dire our situation is and to supply our need. We don’t have to word it ”just so” or use “high church language” to get God’s attention. Jesus said it this way: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”(Matthew 9:7-8).

Let’s celebrate, Sisters! God cares more about the substance of our prayers than the quality of the words. As you pray, think of it as an intimate conversation with God—just the two of you, sharing what’s on your hearts. Talk to God, but listen, too. Allow the Holy Spirit to express what you can’t find the right words to say. God will hear your prayer—whether it is well expressed, rushed or a bunch of jumbled thoughts that you can’t even sort out. He hears you, whether you pray silently or out loud because God already knows what we need before we ask it. When we pray, God wants us to be so in tune with His Spirit that He can move mightily in our heart, mind, spirit and circumstances.

Paul had experienced a miracle that that God performed in his own life. He was transformed from Saul, the persecutor of Christians, to Paul, the Apostle and builder of churches. He often found himself in horrendous situations as he proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ—imprisonment, hardships and more. Yet he claimed, “Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). He knew that although he was weak and experiencing extremely challenging circumstances, his God was strong. He could stand in the strength of Christ.

God did it for Paul. He can do it for you! Paul relied on the Holy Spirit to know what he needed in each situation. And, by the way...we should too. God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are One and the Same. The joy of being a person of faith is that we can relate to God in whatever way we need to at that moment. Sometimes we need to come to Him as His child, so He is our Father. Other times, we rejoice in how Jesus rescued us from our sin, from death and from the evil one. Still other times, we need someone who can express what we can’t find the words to say, and that’s through the Holy Spirit.

God, thank you that You always hear us when we pray, that we don’t have to pray in any specific way to be heard by You. You even know what we need before we ask. So when we have such a deep ache that we can’t find the right words, remind us that the Holy Spirit express what is in our hearts to You, so that You can move mightily in our life. In Jesus’ name and for the Father’s glory, Amen.

For further reading: Luke 11:11-13; John 14:16-18, 26; Philippians 4:6-7