“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 through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 NIV
Let’s see if I can successfully insert an image into this blog:
If you cannot see it, it is a letter board that you put letters in to make a sign – but the letters are all scrambled and dropped on the sign.
I have seen this many times – every time I can relate it to a time I have prayed. Today, I feel it to my core. The verse above from the book of Romans gives some understanding to the feeling – sometimes we just don’t know what to pray as we ought and must rely on the Spirit to intercede. Although we feel this sometimes the Bible says to pray in the Spirit at all times.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6::18 NIV
Before I get along too far let me throw in this passage:
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4 NKJV
Pentecost is a festival celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover – this year’s Pentecost is coming up on May 31st. Jesus’s followers gathered and prayed during the day of Pentecost in this passage and the Holy Spirit baptized them in fire with the evidence of praying in the Spirit as the Spirit gave them utterance. If you have not yet experienced this, then pray for it – that is what the disciples did as you see here. For added help, read the whole chapter of Acts 2. And pray from your heart – pray all the things there are just no words to pray. Pray all the things you cannot fully understand yet. Let go and cry it all out to God.
For me, my heart has been heavy. These people I pray for seem to rail against God. They are angry about the evils which have happened to them and have twisted it all around and with or without realizing it, they hold God responsible.
My heart breaks – it aches – the God who can set them free they blame for their self-imposed bondage. I know if I hurt, God is also hurting. Jesus loves us – this we know. God loves us – this we know. The Spirit loves us – that is why the Spirit converts these deep pains (and joys) into prayers on our behalf.
The pain they are feeling over the lost souls is something we can only just begin to understand. So when we are hurting for them – know they are the creation of Jesus and have at the moment rejected Him, and His heart is broken too.
Often when these prodigals reject God – they also reject us and that rejection hurts us as well. God understand our pain and understands the complexities of it more than we do. He knew we would not have the words or knowledge of how to pray and gave us the Holy Spirit.
Oh Lord – How I love them!!! How I want what is best for them!!! I want to pray blessings into their lives and share you with them – I want to rejoice in their testimony and I long for the restoration!
How do I pray for their safety when they choose to be unsafe? How do I pray for the word of God to get in when they refuse to read?
I do encourage myself (and you) – it is written: the prodigal comes home!
“So he [the prodigal] got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 NIV
In the meanwhile, I find every applicable verse in the Bible and pray it…
“And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people)” Ephesians 1:18 AMP
I remind God – your word says it – I have prayed it – you wish none shall perish! Bring awakening and transformation!
I continue to cry out – Father God, look at what you have done in me! Let me testify of your goodness! If I, being as evil and horrible as I was could be transformed – you can do this or greater in these people who I pray for!
I eventually run out of verses – despite my constant searching for them. I have prayed every last one and prayed them continually as the persistent widow! But God, You said, You said…. I plea.
Every single day, without fail, at some point – I thank God for them and ask for grace for them and pray for their return.
Every. Single. Day.
“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 14:2 ESV
So – as I am left depleted of words but my heart still burdened, I cry out in the Spirit! I think the only word I have left is “breakthrough”. And I find it mixed into the cries, tears, utterances, and worship. Just a bunch of letters dropped on the message board. Just a great big dumping out of all that is in my heart.
“And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John 5:15 ESV
Even the things we ask for that we do not even know we ask because we ask them when we “utters mysteries in the Spirit”.
I tell myself – hang in there. Let me remind you as well, hang in there. There is NO stronghold that will stop the flow of the Spirit! Flow of the waters. Let me tell you about a thought I was having.
We had a storm move through our area, last Friday night. The predictions were bad. We prayed God would calm the storm and our neighborhood experienced very little. Our experience was hardly even news worthy. (Praise the Lord for that praise report!) However, the surrounding areas had wind damage and minor flooding – and before I get off onto the storm it is the water I was thinking about.
The storm front, as it approached, was dark and looked like the sky was ripped open and water just poured out from it. This water (all water) flows into everything. Including my basement. It was not a lot of water and turning on the dehumidifier should dry it back up, the point is that a rock wall, sealed and resilient. The foundational structures in place. The pavement around the house. The soil, dirt, bedrock, roots of thirsty trees – nothing could stop the water from getting in. NOTHING. No matter how stubborn my house is.
And the same with the Living Water!
Yes, there is free will and all of that – BUT never underestimate God! God is still in control! And when the trumpet sounds and we shoot up to meet Jesus – our prayers have been heard and they will be with us as well!
Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!
~Grace be with you ~
~Thank you for reading ~ Be healthy and blessed ~
~ Pray for our nation ~ Pray Psalm 91 ~
If Not For Grace 