We mention praying for each other all the time and toss it around like most people toss out “hello” as a greeting. I’m certainly not opposed to this but have you ever had someone who was truly a prayer warrior tell you that they are praying for you? I’ve experienced it on a few occasions and can tell you it is both humbling and unbelievably encouraging!So as I’ve spent the last few weeks reading, blogging, preaching and reflecting on the Holy Spirit and His role as our Guide on this journey through life I’ve come to have a much greater appreciation for Him as our divine prayer partner. Look at what Paul writes in his letter to the disciples in Rome…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 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. ~ Romans 8:26-27My prayers were much more specific when I was a younger Christian; I was fairly certain of what God was up to. I guess I assumed that I’d know more as I grew older and offer up prayers with even more detail, but I was wrong. The older I get the more I see life as God’s story and only He knows where the storyline will go next.So I find myself praying a bit more generally these days; asking God to accomplish His purposes within His story even when I have no clue what that will look like. Through the years I’ve had various situations about which I simply didn’t know what to pray, but I’d never experienced it to the degree I have these last 10 months.I have to admit that not even having words to offer up to God initially struck me as a little disheartening; sort of like “Gee, what’s wrong with me?” But lately I’ve become much more comfortable because I realize that it doesn’t all depend on me. Paul says that the Spirit prays for us when we don’t know what to pray. (Heavy sigh of relief)What a comfort! What an encouragement! We have a divine prayer partner who is constantly interceding for us! I… I’m not sure how to express the depth of gratitude I feel.We are not alone!PS - Rick also blogs at www.ilifejourney.wordpress.com
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