The Holy Spirit

Have you ever had a day when you could not audibly express what you were feeling in prayer?  Your heart was just that heavy.  All you could do was sit there and cry. And on some days the pain was so heavy you couldn't even cry.  You think about your loved ones and their needs and how you would do anything for them.  You think about that person you work with who saw the light of Jesus shining through you and decided to come and share what was going on in their life.  You think about the person you passed on the street corner with no where to lay his head at night.  Then after thinking about all that you start to think about all the things in your life that are weighing you down.... your job, your spouse, your children, your finances.  You're not getting enough sleep and it's starting to take it's toll on you.  You keep wondering if it's ever going to get any better. You start to pray and just can't find the words.  But thanks be to God who left us His Holy Spirit to intercede for us. 

Romans 8: 26-28 says...'And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress.  For we don't even know what we should pray for nor how we should pray.  But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them'. 

So what do you do when you feel helpless and can't find the words, you ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you.  He knows the pain you feel and will ask God to lift that burden.  And you don't have to worry about whether or not he will say the right thing because he will always be praying in line with God's will.  This is a great thing because if we were praying ourselves we might be praying for a band-aid fix.  Do you know what a band-aid fix is?  It's something that covers the situation at that moment.  It covers it at that time from further damage but the moment it bumps up against something or gets wet, that band-aid comes off.  I believe that God wants to do more than put a temporary fix on your situation.  He wants to do more than provide you with that tangible thing you are praying for.  What am I talking about?  So what if you are lonely and need love so you ask God for companionship and along walks Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome or Miss Intelligent and Beautiful.  What do we do? We take this as an answer to our prayer.  I contend, however,  that God wants to show you His love and to teach you how to love yourself so that when the one He sends you comes along you will cherish it and won't settle for less than you deserve.  What about those sleepless nights?  God can provide you with that peace to know that everything is going to be alright and you can go to bed and stop worrying.  You see, the God we serve never slumbers nor sleeps.  You are asking God for a financial blessing but He wants to show you that you can make it on what you have.  There is something so wonderful about the intangible blessings God provides.  And you know that when the Holy Spirit is praying for you, He is asking for more than a temporary fix.  He is asking for that which will hold you and keep you through it all. 

Don't worry about those times when you just can't pray.  God has your back through the Holy Spirit.  And have no doubt that God hears and answers those prayers.  You can have this confidence because the last verse of the passage above says that it will all work together for the good of them that love God.  Do you love Him?  Then trust Him and know that whatever you are going through, He knows and He cares.

Dear Lord,

Right now I don't know what to say.  My heart is heavy. I feel so burdened down.  Holy Spirit I need you.  I need you to tell God the words I just can't say right now.  And help me to have the confidence to know that it will all work out for my good.  In Jesus' Name Amen.