Prayerful Groaning

​Lord Jesus, sometimes, I just don’t know how to pray. This scripture comes to mind: 26 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. 27 And he who...

Lord Jesus, sometimes, I just don’t know how to pray. This scripture comes to mind:

26 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. 27 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. Romans 8:26-27 NIV

GROANING IN THE SPIRIT

What does it mean to “groan in the Spirit?” Sometimes, like today, I just don’t have words. I don’t know how to pray over this situation I am dealing with. All I can do is “groan.” Lord, you have all wisdom. I lack wisdom. You say:

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:2-8 NIV

Lord, perhaps your “wisdom” you are giving me right now is this: Groan in the Spirit. So I am. I need you Lord Jesus. Please help with this situation for which I am praying.

My child, I am with you. I hear your prayers. I care about you and deeply love you. You are not alone.

WE ARE NEVER ALONE

No matter what our difficulties, a Christ-follower is never alone. No matter how difficult our situation may be, Christ is with us. He who is above all, the ruler of the universe, master of our souls, is with us. He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us.

Dear child, 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Yes Lord Jesus. You give us rest for our souls. In You, Dear Lord, is our only true rest. Nothing in this world will ever satisfy us. Only You, Christ Jesus. Thank you for being there, any and every time we turn to you.

Dear child, yes, and remember this: “I will never leave you.” I will be with you forever.

Yes, dear sweet Jesus. You are my one and only “forever friend.” And I am so grateful to have you. Especially in times of great pain and turmoil.

GROANING WORKS!

I feel so much better right now. Infinitely better than I did when I started this conversation with Christ. I was in a fog today, hurting, and feeling alone. Now, just 30-minutes later, I feel supported and nurtured. This same experience is available for all Christ-followers. We simply have to spend time with Christ. There is no substitute for this daily quiet time. And, once per day is not enough. It is the bare minimum for me. I don’t know about you, but the more time I spend with Christ, the more I want to spend.

CONCLUSION

Groan.

When you don’t know what to pray, groan. When you are confused, groan. When you are in pain, groan. When you are distraught for any reason, and you feel alone, groan. He who knows everything about you and your needs is there for you and me. He is totally safe. Totally trustworthy. Totally reliable. Totally everything good. Christ Jesus is our Savior. He saved us from damnation.

Christ saves us everyday from our flesh, if we let Him, and brings us into the light of Christ’s perfect love. Go to Him frequently. Hour by hour, day by day, one day at a time. Sometimes on hour at a time. Sometimes, just one minute at a time.

We are totally loved by Christ. Nothing we can go through will ever separate us from the love of Christ. He is our best friend, allie, and shepherd. He gave us his Holy Spirit to comfort, support, and counsel us. Our Heavenly Father knows our needs, and this amazing triune God of All is there, for us, whenever we cry out.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17 NIV

Groan when you need to. And remember, we are children of the Most High, and heirs to the Kingdom of God, and co-heirs with Christ. That is amazing!

May you “groan” well.

Your aspiring servant,

Daniel M.

24 July 2023

POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent conversation with God blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat,  you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily Conversations with Christ.