Can’t pray, then read

Romans 8:26-27    Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

This is one of my bedrock scriptures that I hold onto; knowing that when I struggle to pray, that I am always being prayed for by a member of the Triune God. Prayer with me seems to go in cycles sometimes. Sometimes it feels as though God is sitting in the room with me and the conversation is just flowing both ways. The words just roll out of my mind onto my tongue and I feel God’s attention to them. Spirit led prayers that are so special you must hold onto the high feeling of them to carry you through the low feeling that will come. Sometimes I get stopped in my tracks with a heart that desires, but a tongue that is silent. My heart, mind, and speech are completely disconnected. We have heard the saying of our prayers bouncing off heaven; I struggle to even get them sent up. These times Satan will slide in and always point to our weaknesses; he will point to sins, failures, inadequacies, and anything else to point the finger at us for fault. He is always his best at kicking someone that is already down.

What is our defense against this attack by the evil one? Simply to pick up the only offensive weapon that we have, the Word of God. Don’t try to pray, simply pour your mind and heart into the scriptures. God will strengthen you there; the Spirit will encourage you through the truths found there; all the while He is praying for you there. You absolutely cannot come away from quality time alone in God’s Word not encouraged; and dare I say able to pray. Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Right there in the last verse is the proof of the Sovereignty of God; the proof of the Holy Spirit going before God on your behalf with words so glorious that they cannot even be spoken. You have a way to have access to God through what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross, and you have the Holy Spirit inside of you always taking the needs of your heart to Him. When you can’t pray, open the Word and read.