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Romans 8:26-27 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (NIV)
My two-and-a-half-year-old grandchild, Lindy, loves to sing, even though she doesn't yet speak, other than the odd word here and there. What better place to sing but at church? After all, everyone else is singing, so she loves to join right in. She pulls a book from the hymn rack, opens it to a random page and begins singing along with the congregation. Though she does not utter one intelligible word, her heart expresses the joy of her young soul, and I have no doubt in my mind that God understands every word that no one else does.
Likewise, I often do not have the words to pray. Amidst world chaos due to COVID-19 and war in Ukraine, random violence, extreme climate change disasters, unrest among so many and varied groups of people for one reason or another, and the like, it is hard to know even where to begin in prayer, much less what to say. Yet, there is One Who knows our weakness, and that One is the Holy Spirit: He Who intercedes before the throne of grace for us with groans that words cannot express.
So, even when we do not know what to say or even where to begin, our prayers are never in vain, for God still hears and knows our hearts and listens to our unspoken requests through the Spirit's intercession for us.
Thus, amidst difficult times in our lives, our towns and cities, and our world, let us not neglect to make the time to pray, even if we don't know where to begin. For though our mouths may be silent, He Who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, Who intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
James 5:16b – The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)
Prayer: Lord God, thank You that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us before Your throne of grace when we do not possess or even know the words that we want or ought to pray. Thank You that amidst our weakness, our prayers do not go unheard or unanswered. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Thank you.
This is often my go to verse. Thank you for the lovely example.
This writing is a memorable delight, Lynne. So glad I read it today.
Seeing a child sing in church is a beautiful sight; thanks for sharing and reminding us of the power of prayer, Lynne!
I so wish I could observe Lindy in worship….what a blessing.
Thanks again, Lynne, for your devotional.
Thank you for the reminder to pray as James encourages us. I love the prayer verses that give us insight on prayer. Thank you for your prayer.
Thanks again, Lynne.
Your theme is a great reminder of how the Holy Spirit works on our behalf.
Thank you, Lynne! I do need to make more time for prayer, and it is good to be reminded that silent, or even wordless, prayers are still heard by God.
Blessings.
Good morning, Lynne
Thank you for this beautiful reminder! It is so true, sometimes I just do not know where to begin either.
God bless.
Good morning, Lynne, this devotional certainly reflects my thoughts, thank you for sharing it with us, it is a great help to me. So nice to always hear about your grandchildren. Blessings.
Thanks for the timely clarification, Lynne.
“…make the time to pray, even if we don’t know where to begin…”
Sometimes the obvious is transparent.
Thank-you so much for this.
It is exactly what I have been worrying about.
With Ukraine, what do we pray for?
Thanks again and God bless you.
Thank you for today’s daily devotional on prayer. I have found myself tongue tied when it comes to prayer for Ukraine but know that God is listening to my heart (and tears). I found your devotional so very encouraging.
(Ontario)
Dear Lynne, Thank You! It is so comforting to know that in my distress, as I listen to the news these days, when the tears fall, and all I can repeatedly utter is “My God, my God”, He is with me. Amen! And so be it!
Thank you!
(ON)
Lynne
Thank you so much for this message this morning. I so relate. It sets you free knowing the Holy Spirit is interceding on our behalf. So many days I feel terribly inadequate in my prayers. But God knows my heart.
Blessings.
Good morning, Lynne,
As I watch the news about the situation in the Ukraine my heart aches, and in prayer words fail me, but I agree, God knows my thoughts.
Thank you for your good words.
Blessings.
Dear Lynne,
God has used you to bring great reassurance, and peace, into my heart at a time of personal need for some of my family. I thank Him for His faithfulness, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And I thank Him for you, and your faithfulness. He brought His promises, your devotional, and my tears and plea together this morning. God is good!
I ask His blessings be on you and your family.
Loved the PresbyCan Lynne. The image of your grandchild enthusiastically joining in with the congregation is warm and uplifting .Especially loved the image of her opening a hymnal to any page.
Like you I find increasing darkness in this world, so your message was an important one.
Thanks for writing.
Lynne, I just needed to write to you to say that your devotional in PresbyCan really struck a note for me today. I was feeling this way this morning as I was trying to pray for Ukraine. I just felt it was so large that I didn’t have a clue how to pray! But you are so right, the Holy Spirit intervenes. Our job is simply to pray and then to trust God to interpret our intentions to His glory. Thanks so much for this one!
Dear Lynne,
What a delight to read about the singing actions of your little granddaughter and what a joy for the congregation to have the little one there. Your writing today is so expressive of the situation we are in today with so much prayer needed for so many situations in numerous parts of our world. It truly is difficult to know where to start and what to ask our Lord but thankfully the Holy Spirit is there to guide us along. Many thanks and blessings for these special writings you do and may that little girl faithfully continue her “singing” routine.
Dear Lynne, thank you for this Daily Devotional. It is so comforting to know the Holy Spirit intercedes when we do not have the words to express our prayer requests and needs.
Like most people, I contracted COVID this week and have no idea where I picked it up. One of the side-effects is extreme fatigue. All week I have been trying to say my evening prayers and the words just do not come. Your message is a reassurance that God does in fact received our prayers through the Holy Spirit.
BTW, you are one of my favourite Devotional writers. I ALWAYS enjoy your messages.
Blessings,
(QC)
I have experienced that this week.
Feeling dejected and down, (with a portion of self-rejection thrown in), I awoke in the middle of the night, went through to the lounge and sat in stillness, my hands softly relaxed on my lap.
Not knowing what to say, I reviewed these torments in my mind and asked forgiveness specifically, for my attitude and failure to live “the abundant life”, that Jesus promised. My head was lifted up, the burden fell from my heart and my spirit became strong, thankful, and full of joy.
I was able to sleep peacefully again and woke feeling that I was rested and renewed!
God is a generous Giver!
Thanks for affirming this in your writing.
Bless you and your little granddaughter!
We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the leaders of this world to peace and justice for all.
Thank you Lynne Phipps. So many of us needed to hear this message right now. Hug that little granddaughter of yours!