Read Romans 8:18-27
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
- Romans 8:26 (NIV)
For years, I had trouble praying. The problem was not in the actual act of prayer but in the fear that I wasn’t praying correctly. I had received so much advice on different ways to pray that I was afraid of not making myself understood.
In the midst of a minor crisis in which I wanted to communicate that I needed God with me no matter what happened, the Spirit led me to dwell on Romans 8:26. I finally understood.
The words I use are not all that important; I simply need to pray. God knows what is happening in our lives and what we need. And the Holy Spirit helps us to pray, giving voice to all we are trying to say.
Since then, praying has been easier for me. Sometimes I pray in new or different ways. Even when I feel muddled, I now understand that the Spirit intercedes, making my prayers clear to God.
Thought for the Day:
I can rest in the promise that the Spirit intercedes for me.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for an intercessor who assures us that when we pray you know what we want to say. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Prayer Focus: PEOPLE NEW TO PRAYER
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
For years, I had trouble praying. The problem was not in the actual act of prayer but in the fear that I wasn’t praying correctly. I had received so much advice on different ways to pray that I was afraid of not making myself understood.
In the midst of a minor crisis in which I wanted to communicate that I needed God with me no matter what happened, the Spirit led me to dwell on Romans 8:26. I finally understood.
The words I use are not all that important; I simply need to pray. God knows what is happening in our lives and what we need. And the Holy Spirit helps us to pray, giving voice to all we are trying to say.
Since then, praying has been easier for me. Sometimes I pray in new or different ways. Even when I feel muddled, I now understand that the Spirit intercedes, making my prayers clear to God.
Thought for the Day:
I can rest in the promise that the Spirit intercedes for me.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for an intercessor who assures us that when we pray you know what we want to say. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Prayer Focus: PEOPLE NEW TO PRAYER
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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