We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but
the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us. - Romans 8:26
My son Brian had been struggling for several hours to repair the plumbing in his bathroom.
No matter what he tried, nothing seemed to work. His 4-year-old son J.D. had been watching
his dad, wanting to help but not knowing what to do. Brian was about to make one more try,
but before doing so he looked up at J.D. and said, "Please pray."
The boy didn't know what to say, so he began with his usual nighttime requests: "Dear
God, bless Dad, bless Mom, bless Sarah, bless Julia. Amen." Brian tried once more to
fix the problem - and this time he succeeded.
Often we feel like J.D., not knowing what words to say. But we still come to God with our
need because our confidence lies not in ourselves nor in our intercession, but in the Holy
Spirit. He hears and knows our hearts, but He also hears and knows the heart of God the
Father. George MacDonald wrote, "Father, . . . look deep, yet deeper, in my heart,
and there, beyond what I know, read Thou the prayer."
God's Spirit takes our inadequate prayers, breathes into them the Father's will, and turns
them into meaningful requests (Romans 8:26). Although we may not get what we thought we
wanted, we will receive God's best, for our Prayer Partner knows our deepest needs.
-DHR
Sometimes I do not pray in words -
I take my heart in my two hands
And hold it up before the Lord -
I am so glad He understands.
-Nicholson
God hears more than words - He listens to the heart.