05/13/2022
We are in need of many perfections of faith, and so often we can’t see in ourselves what we are lacking. Our spirit feels the presence of the void, and yet we can’t put that emptiness into words. As we kneel to pray, in the presence of such wounds, there is only unsettled silence because we are at a loss for words to express our inner suffering, and in that moment of despair and heartbreak, when our soul feels like it is being rent in two, the tears and groans well up in us, and the Holy Spirit begins to pray for us. He is our helper, and in merciful intercession, He prays in ways that we alone find ourselves unable. Does this sound familiar? Have we wrongly recognized a spiritual hole within ourselves as being human depression?
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
There have been many times in my life when I felt the need for prayerful intercession. Perhaps it was for something physical that I desired, or that I simply needed someone wiser to help me pray for, however, there have been those mysterious times when I felt unsettled, lonely, and as if I were wandering lost; when I felt there was a distance between myself and my God, or that there was something He wanted from me that my spirit could feel Him asking for, but that my ears couldn’t hear clearly, my eyes were darkened to, or that my mind wasn’t quite able to grasp, or quantify.
“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV
Haven’t we all felt this way at some point? Haven’t we found ourselves in seasons of indescribable lack, or longing? Haven’t we recognized that we were missing something, but couldn’t put our finger on what it was? Haven’t we recognized that we needed to change something about ourselves but didn’t know what or how? In such times as these we find that our heart burns within us. Yes, sometimes we find ourselves traveling down a spiritual road to Emmaus, and it takes the Holy Spirit to break the bread for us, and to reveal Jesus to us in groans… in a moment of divine prayer.
“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?””
Luke 24:30-32 ESV
The Holy Spirit is our comforter, but he is so much more. He gives us the ability to speak the gospel into the lives of others, brings scripture to our remembrance, and helps us in so many various ways as we go out into the world to deliver the good news, just as Jesus commanded us to do. But, his help does not end there, he also turns inward, and mentors our spirit. He teaches us how to see what our eyes have been blinded to, to hear the voice of God in the raging storms of life that buffet us, and then, when we are at the end of our human ability, he steps in to pray for us, and turns the longing of our spirits into words that only Heavenly beings can understand… the language of love, heartbreak, emotion, of the heart, and our spirit.
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:27 ESV
Are we in a season such as the one we have been discussing today? Do we find ourselves wandering, or longing to obey God’s will, but find ourselves unable to grasp it? If so we are traveling the way of the Holy Spirit, and need to release ourselves to his care. We need to open the door that we have kept locked for so long and let God’s Holy Spirit speak for us. It is time we worshipped in Spirit and Truth. So today, let’s go into our prayer closet, and instead of taking our prayers into our own hands, let’s quiet ourselves, and allow the Spirit to speak the divine language of Heaven through us. Let’s allow him to moan, groan, and speak from our deepest spiritual recesses.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.””
John 4:23-24 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us as you do. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to redeem us, and to save us from sin and death. Thank you too for your Holy Spirit that has been breathed onto us, and leads us as we worship you in Spirit and truth, just as Jesus instructed us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is spirit and is truth. Praised be your name for all that your Holy Spirit reveals to us, and for every moan, or other heavenly word he speaks for us. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus Father, and cleanse us of sin, because you are merciful indeed. Resurrect us with Christ, and seat us before you Lord because your grace knows no bounds, and give us unto eternal joy, peace, and worship because in this way we show all of creation your glory. Hear our prayers Father, and wrap them in the prayers of the Spirit that they might be perfected as they rise up with the sweet smell, and smoke, of heavenly incense.
“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Revelation 5:8 ESV
“And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.”
Revelation 8:3-4 ESV
““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”
Psalm 46:10-11 ESV
Rich Forbes