A Word with Pastor Stephen – April 20

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men 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 RSV)

Do you find yourself praying more during this challenging time of staying at home and social distancing? On the other hand, your prayer life may have dried up and disappeared because of all the stress and uncertainty we are going through right now. Even the Apostle Paul could struggle with prayer when he writes, “for we do not know how to pray as we ought.”

I think we can all struggle with prayer sometimes. We can wonder what we should be praying about or what words to use. Does your mind wander? Do you feel like you are just talking into thin air? Is God really listening? How long do I pray? So many of us just end up saying a quick grace before meals or saying a prayer when someone is in distress.

Our passage reminds us to pray even when we don’t know what to pray. The Holy Spirit knows our hearts and knows what we need and will intercede for us. The Holy Spirit will step in and take our hand and pray for us. Even the Holy Spirit does not need to use words. I love Paul’s wonderful phrase, “with sighs too deep for words”. What a comfort for us.

Make prayer a real and regular part of your daily walk with Jesus. The Holy Spirit is on your side when you don’t know what to say. Amen.