In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.  And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  Romans 8:27 HCSB

If you are like me, you are seldom speechless.  But, I must admit there are times I bow down before the Lord and just don’t know what to say. A pastor made a statement to me several years ago that took me back but made perfect sense when I thought about it.  He said, “why to do we need to pray?”  God knows our hearts and our thoughts.  He knows our every need and our every want, so why do we have to pray?  But there are hundreds of scripture passages in the bible that instruct us to pray.  In Jeremiah 33:3 we are told, Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.  I can attest to the fact that in times when I was clueless and I prayed to God, he guided me and led me in the way he would have me to go.  My husband and I know each other very well.  We often finish each other’s sentences and often times we find we are thinking the same thing.  But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to speak with him or have him speak with me. We were made to be in fellowship with God and when we stray from our purpose in life, it gives us trouble. Prayer is talking to God.  But how do you talk to Him when you don’t know what to say?

Just the other day, I asked my seven-year-old niece what the doctor said when her mom took her due to sinus problems.  Her response was, “I have no idea.”  She went on to tell me that she is just a kid, so she didn’t listen to the doctor because that was her mom’s responsibility.  Sorry, my bad.  She is rarely at a loss for words but will readily admit when she doesn’t know the answer to your question.  Sometimes when I pray, I feel as though I have no idea where to begin or what to say especially when I am not even sure what I should pray for in a particular situation.  Some situations are like catch-22s and leave us wondering what is best.  But I can assure you God knows what is best for us.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us He has good plans for us.

There have been times I have come before God and had no idea what to say. Sometimes we come to God with so many problems we don’t know where to begin or sometimes the mess has gotten so big and out of control, we are just so overwhelmed, and we don’t know what to say. But our scripture passage for today tells us even if we have no idea or we are at a loss for words, the Holy Spirit will help us in our weakness.  The Holy Spirit will intercede on our behalf.  Now let me stop right here and say how awesome that is!  You see since I have turned my life over to God, He has given me a church family and a group of friends that I consider to be prayer warriors.  When the going gets tough, I send them a text and ask them to please pray for me.  I am comforted knowing they are interceding on my behalf.  But not only do I have my earthly prayer warriors interceding for me, but the Holy Spirit Himself is also interceding on my behalf.

My Ryrie study bible explains it in this way.  When we are weak and unable to pray intelligently about a particular situation, the Holy Spirit prays for us with deep groanings.  This is not speaking in tongues; no words are used. This is the groaning of the Holy Spirit, too deep for words. This prayer is prayed in accordance with God’s will.  Whatever we say, pray and/or do, we want to be in God’s will.  Because the Father knows best.  He knows our future and He knows what we need before we need it.  So, the whole part about being in His will is the key.

If you are facing a difficult situation today and you just don’t know what to pray, turn to God.  Trust in Him.  Get down on your knees and admit your weakness.  Ask Him to fill your heart with His Holy Spirit.  Pray our scripture passage today and ask the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf.  Remember, God knows what you need in all circumstances because He knows what your future holds.  Won’t you submit to Him today and trust Him with all things in your life? Then you can sit back and see what a difference it will make.

Have a great day!