A PRAYER FOR WHEN WE CAN’T PRAY
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. 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… Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Romans 8:26-27, 34b (NLT)
When life circumstances so overwhelm your heart that it can no longer convey its anguish in words; it can seem impossible to come before God in prayer. How do we pray when we don’t know what to pray? How do we speak to God when grief and fear hold our words captive? The greatest breakthrough prayers don’t have to be eloquent or even verbal when our soul feels lost. Remember, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV). In fact, we can defer our prayer to the Holy Spirit and Christ, who approach the Father on our behalf. So, when our own words won’t come, perhaps our hearts can rely on the promise of His words, praying silently from the depth of our sorrow:
Father God,
You are good and You are worthy of praise.
I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to say. Show me how the Spirit is praying for me because I don’t know how to pray for myself.
Show me how He’s pleading for me because You promised the Holy Spirit will help me in my weakness. I don’t know how You want me to pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for me with groanings that can’t be expressed in words. You are my Father, who knows all hearts and the Spirit pleads for me in harmony with Your own will.
I can’t sense the Spirit’s movement right now, so help me know He’s here, even as He prays for me.
I feel so weak, Father. Remind me of Christ’s victory and that He, too, intercedes in prayer on my behalf.
The Messiah died for me and was raised to life for my healing. He is sitting in the place of honor at Your right hand, pleading for me. I can’t pray, Lord. So, comfort me with the hope of how You are interceding for me without end.
AMEN
APPLICATION: Sometimes, the greatest prayers of breakthrough will not contain words, but come from a surrendered heart of trust.
PRAYER: Lord of Compassion, on the days I cannot find words to pray, draw me into a silent closeness with You, revealing Your heart for me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?