Reliable Help When You Don’t Know What To Pray

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Do you have times when your need is so great or you’re so emotionally invested that you don’t know what to pray? Times when it’s hard to put your need into words or you’re not even sure if what you think you need is … what you need?

I can remember one time in particular when I was so distraught that I called Rev and asked him to come and pray over me and our circumstances.

And I’ve had more times than I can number when I’ve only had the strength to pray brief prayers like… “Please help.” “I can’t.” “I don’t know what to do.” “I don’t know what to pray.” “I need You.” Etc.

For that reason, I’ve held on to the following verse for as long as I can remember…

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. 

Romans 8:26–27

It always gives me peace to know that when I don’t know what to pray … the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf.

I know I’ve shared often that Romans 8 was Rev’s favorite chapter of the Bible. So, I was experiencing all the “feels” as I recently read through Romans 8 during my devotional time. I know I’ve read it hundreds of times but this time the Spirit showed me something I never noticed before.

Just four verses following the promise of the Spirit’s help with our weak prayers, Paul wrote…

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for 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 8:31b–34

What an AHA moment!

Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God praying and “pleading” for us.

The One who died and rose again to give us life. The One who knows us better than anyone. Intercedes for us.

If Jesus and the Spirit are speaking on our behalf … we can trust that the Triune God knows us and our needs. We can trust the Lord to know and do what is best for us. One God—Creator, Savior, and Comforter—loves you and me so much that they work together for our good.

And the verse between these verses is…

 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. 

Romans 8:28

And to top it all off, he adds…

We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38–39

Think about it…

You and I don’t have to know what to pray. We don’t have to have the right words. We don’t have to have anything but a humble heart that takes everything to our gracious and glorious God trusting that He knows, understands, and always does what is best.

Is it any wonder why Romans 8 was Rev’s favorite chapter of the Bible?

Let’s pray…

Go to God When You Don’t Know What to Pray

Father God, I am truly humbled as I read Your Word and learn the details of Your love. It is a love that never changes because it is not only what You feel or what You do … LOVE is who You are. Father, Son, and Spirit, You are love!

Your love never changes but in our sinful and fallen world love is often fickle and fragile. You love us so much that You faithfully watch over us, Jesus and the Spirit pray for us, and together You always do what is best. One Truine God pouring perfect love into the lives of Your children.

How can I begin to thank You? I don’t have to be afraid. I don’t have to worry about praying the right words. I only need to come to You with my frailties, feelings, and all I am facing, trusting that You KNOW what I need and that You will accomplish it.

I lift my hands in praise. I lay my life before You longing to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Please help me. Please guide me. Please give me everything I need to live for Your glory. In and through the name of Jesus. Amen.

Does it help to know that Jesus and the Spirit are interceding for you when you don’t know what to pray?

The Life Application Bible Notes say…

With God helping you pray, you don’t need to be afraid to come before Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you “in harmony with God’s own will.” Then when you bring your requests to God, trust that He will always do what is best. (v. 26–27)

So, let’s confidently take every need to God in prayer because the One who gave His life to save us is sitting at the Father’s right hand discussing our needs in love. We have nothing to fear. No one and nothing can snatch us away from the love of God.

If you don’t know what to pray … it’s okay. Take it all to God anyway. He loves you. He knows what you need and promises to provide.

May the Lord be with you and bless you as you surrender all to Him in prayer.

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