Guest blogger Joanie Yonker is here today to help us conclude our “But God” series. We have explored several  passages of Scripture this month that point to the truth that no one But God could rescue us from sin, transform lives, or take the weak and despised things of the world to accomplish his purposes.

Today we will see how the Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers.

We don’t know what we ought to pray

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. 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” (Rom 8:26-27).

I once heard a story about a grandpa who heard his little granddaughter praying one night before bed. This is what he heard her praying, “a, b, c, d, e, f, g…” The next morning he asked her about her prayer and why she was praying the alphabet. She answered, “I wasn’t sure what words to use, so I decided to pray the alphabet and let God put the letters together in the right words.”

When we can’t find the words

That’s how I feel sometimes, too. Right now, we have a situation in our family that is causing great heartache. One member of the family is making some very bad choices and it affects everyone. This person won’t listen to any reasoning. She just wants her own way and the results are heartbreaking!  

As I heard about this, I immediately went to the throne of grace and began to pray. However, it wasn’t long before I realized I didn’t even quite know how to pray about this situation. I didn’t know the words to say. I found myself just repeating over and over, “Lord, reveal yourself to her! Help! Comfort!” And on and on in the same vein.

I felt like I was living in Romans 8:26-27, needing the Holy Spirit to intercede for me since all I could really contribute were my tears and my lack of words. I soon felt myself turning to one of my favorite ways to communicate with the Father–singing.  

Sing until you know your words are true

I began to sing three “trust songs” that have helped me through the years:  “Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way. Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all!” And “I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk along; I just keep trusting my Lord, and he gives a song. Though the storm clouds darken the sky o’er the heavenly trail, I just keep trusting my Lord. He will never fail.” Finally I sang, “I will trust when I cannot see. When I’m faced with adversity. And believe his will is always best for me. I will trust when I cannot see.” 

My songs led to praise…my praise let to trust…my trust led to knowing he was at work in the situation.

I remembered that he loved my family member even more than I did.

I may not have gone to the extreme of praying the alphabet, but somehow I knew I could trust God even when I had no idea what he was doing. All I had to offer him was my tears, my groanings, and my trust.

And, through the Holy Spirit, he knew just what to do with them.

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Are you struggling with something in your life and you can’t find the words to pray? Let Joanie’s experience encourage you to offer God your tears and lack of words. The Holy Spirit will go with you to the throne of grace and pray for you.

Ginger

Joanie’s Trust Songs—”Simply Trusting Every Day” by Edgar Page; “I Just Keep Trusting My Lord” by John W. Peterson; “I Will Trust When I Cannot See” by John W. Peterson

Joanie Yonker speaks to women through retreats and seminars in the Pacific Northwest. She reminds them of the love of God, no matter their past, and his grace to forgive and restore them to a place of purpose in his kingdom. Joanie is the author of “How to Pray for Your Children, “How to Step into God’s Presence, and “Meditations of a Woman’s Heart.”