Teach Me To Pray

Text: Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. (NRSV)

Praying in public is hard for many of us.  Perhaps it is because speaking in public is hard for many of us.  It has been estimated that upwards of 77% of all people fear speaking in public.  Thanks be to God, we don’t have to know how to pray as we ought when we come directly to God through the Spirit of God.

Not knowing what to say to God should never affect our personal prayer time with God.  Even if we are uncomfortable with praying in public, there is never a good reason for us not to spend time with God in personal prayer.  We can’t claim that it is because we don’t know what to say to God, God simply wants to be in relationship with us and God will begin the conversation on our behalf as the Spirit of God intercedes for us.

At first, we might not even understand what is transpiring between our spirit and the Spirit of God.  Paul tells us that the “Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words”.  I believe, however, that it then becomes a training ground where we learn how to pray—how to have a conversation with God.

If it has been a while since you have spoken with God because you simply don’t know what to say, take a moment to sit in silence.  Begin to feel the presence of God without trying to think about what you might say.  Allow God’s spirit to start the conversation and lead you into the depths of prayer.  In that way, God will begin to develop you into one who is in deep and intimate relationship with Him as God teaches you through the Spirit of God.

Pray with me:

God of love and grace, teach me to sit with you in conversation.  Lead me into the depths of prayer as Your Spirit intercedes on my behalf teaching me how to pray.  AMEN.

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