There is a page in my prayer journal with a one-word entry. It just says “Father.” That’s all I could manage. The pain and anxiety are deep and heavy in this season and this word nerd, Bible teacher, writer sometimes can’t find the words to convey what’s on my heart. I know I am not alone. I read your posts. I hear your sighs. And so does your Heavenly Father.
A dear friend reminded me recently of Romans 8:26-27: “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.”These verses are such a balm to my overwhelmed heart. When I cannot find the words, the Spirit is praying to the Father for me. He knows what’s on my heart, and even more importantly, He knows the Father’s heart. He knows the Father’s will in my situation and He prays to that end. The Greek word used here for “groans” comes from the root word meaning “narrow.” Picture it: the Spirit takes the jumbled, swirling cacophony of voices and hurts and issues and concerns and worries and anxieties and narrows them down to the core – and He takes that to the Father. It reminds me of when my mom would untangle the mess I made with my yarn, carefully working it through the wadded-up ball until she released the one loose end that freed the rest. The Spirit is our own personal interpreter, taking this gibberish language that we speak and translating it into the language of God’s perfect wisdom. And all the while He is speaking back into my heart the words of the Father – words of compassion, tenderness, encouragement, and hope. You know what this tells me? I don’t have to have the right words or to wax eloquent in speaking to my Father. God just wants me to tell Him whatever is on my heart in whatever way it comes out and then trust the Spirit to sift through it all and take the heart of my heart before the Father.
What’s on your heart today, Beloved? God is listening. Even if all that comes out is His Name – it is enough.