My Words Just Sound So Empty

Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. 

Romans 8:26

 

I felt completely overwhelmed and out of my element.  The call came in of a tragic situation which I needed to come counsel those involved.  Up to this point, I had dealt with pretty much any situation I could have imagined, yet this one was different.  This time, instead of being the one telling the counselor what I knew they wanted to hear, I was the one who would be hearing the "I'm fine" comment over and over (even though I knew it would be a lie).  I had no idea how to pray for the people involved.  I had no idea how to reach out to them with any sense of broaching the "Blue Wall of Imperviousness."  

 

The only thing I could manage to pray was "God help me!"  By the time I reached the ones in need, I was literally sweating as though I had just stepped out of a furnace and my thoughts were racing almost as fast as my heart rate.  How could I help make ANY sense of a tragic situation?  How could God use me to bring any sense of peace to this horrible event?  My mind's mantra became "Abba, speak through me."

 

All the books that I had read on helping others deal with tragic situations did not have a word about horrific situations and were, thus, of little help.  But the more I kept praying, the more sense of peace filled my soul.  By the time I was able to speak to the first person, God had already begun moving.  We talked, we cried, we hugged, and my soul continually prayed.

 

You see, I, in my own strength and knowledge, was completely lost and overwhelmed.  But God already knew exactly what was needed and had already begun His healing before I met with anyone.  I am convinced that Prayer is NOT telling God wonderful things we think He wants to hear.  Prayer, I do believe, is building our relationship with Him; understanding that He already knows what we need and has a plan already in action for our benefit.

 

"But I don't know what to say when I pray."  I hear this quite a lot, and have said it too.  What do we say to God?  How about: "Thank You Abba for loving me.  Thank You for this day You have set ahead of me and before we get started, thank You that You have already worked everything out.  Keep me calm and trusting in You every moment."  No flowery speeches, no repetition which become just sound filling the air....just simple heart to heart conversation with the One who knows you better than you know you (and the One who loves you anyway).