Why we pray

Daily Conversations with Spirit's Help

Romans 8:26 Amplified

In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.

ISV version: In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, since we do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

Webster’s dictionary defines prayer as:

“an address or a petition to God in word or thought; an earnest request or wish.”

But rather than a rote or abstract recitation of something written a book or something we have memorized, prayer should be an honest conversation God.

Prayer is giving God our attention. Prayer is casting anxieties on God (1 Peter 5:7), crying to God in trouble (Ps. 34:17), and making needs known to Him in every circumstance (Phil. 4:6–7). It is where we talk to Him and where we also listen for answers.

Prayer is similar to a child's sincere dialogue with their earthly father. It’s natural for to ask our father for the things we need or want. At times, we also ask for advice or guidance. God is a loving Father, so He too cares about our needs and concerns. But like our earthly father, who sees a bigger picture than we do, neither are an  ATM for our wish list.

But what if we’re stumped? What if it seems like we’ve asked for or asked about the same thing(s) over and over and OVER again?

What if you have prayed countless prayers asking God to make the problem go away and yet in His sovereignty He is silent on the issue. What if there have been no noticeable changes or improvements and you have had no signs that anything is going to change any time soon? 

Keep believing.

Keep praying.

Ask the Holy spirit to intercede in your behalf.

When your faith seems to ebb and flow, instead of ruminating on the problem count your blessings. Be grateful for all the ways the situation is NOT. No matter what is going on, it could always be worse!! Know that God has already come through for you. That is faith and trust.

I put this into action the other day during my ECP treatment. Instead of spending the hour feeling sorry for myself and thinking about the efforts ahead, I spent the hour in gratitude for the gains I have made in a mere 3 weeks and how much worse this stroke could have been.Right now, I can walk, fix my food, read, type, do my exercises, attend zoom meetings with my staff, and do almost all activities of daily living independently. The only major hurdles I have to overcome are that I still can’t navigate my 13-step staircase and I’m not yet ready to drive. And of course, there’s the strength training which is not a linear process. I attribute my rapid recovery to my great supplement program, daily ECP treatments, and most importantly the many prayers that continue to flow in my behalf.

Honestly, I didn’t feel hugely better mentally when my treatment session was over, but I knew things were better in my spirit and with Spirit.

During this difficult season, as I work daily to remember God’s faithfulness, there are a few other practices that are helping me—things that may benefit  you when faced with a difficult life season.

1. Pray as much and as often as you can. Remember we are encouraged to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) I encourage you to use those seconds during the day to offer prayers of gratitude for the gifts you have, not just pleas for what you want/need.

2. Use scripture. Find your favorite supporting verses. Memorize them and recite them often.

3. Be grateful for all the past stuff. Pull out a Shutterfly album you made about a past trip. Watch some old family videos. Call an long-time friend and tell some good stories about past events. Watch some old, favorite movies. Think about the most difficult seasons of your life and how God brought you through. This reminds you of the faithfulness of family and friends and builds trust in the future that there are still memories to be made.

4. Allow yourself to feel. Be mad. Be sad. Be disappointed. Be frustrated. Be discouraged. Feel sorry for yourself. Allow those feelings. What you’re feeling is normal. It means you’re still human. Wallow in it but only for a finite period of time. Then move on. Call a friend to vent. Put on some happy music. Get back into life and fight forward. You have things to do.

5. Ask for professional help. There is no shame in reaching out to a counselor. I honestly feel that everyone could benefit and experience personal growth talking with a trained professional who can encourage you and point out your blind spots. Counseling is a private, confidential place to discuss personal issues with someone who doesn’t have a stake in the game. I’ve found a very good, Christian ‘sounding board’ through https://www.betterhelp.com – his name is Anderson Frederick.
    

Prayer, then, is having Spirit’s breath to help us communicate, the Son’s blood making a way, and the Father’s ear attuned to our pleas. Our triune God is listening. He will provide what we need when we need it. In the meantime, what are you learning in the waiting?