Uncertain Prayer

WORD:

"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words."

Romans 8:26

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

DEVOTION:

"Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer" (Ed Cole). And isn't this true? We can wish and wish for something so badly - but if we don't personally ask God about it, then it is not prayer. If it is not prayer, then it has no power to move to a mountain.

"Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God" (Andrew Murray). What reasons are you praying for? Do you pray just to recite a list of requests and then forget the most important aspect of prayer - getting to know God better?"

"There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying" (John G. Lake). When I was younger, my family was attending a Roman Catholic church and I was attending a Catholic school. No offense to the Catholic denomination, but from my young experience, my relationship with God was one of memorized prayers and last-minute requests. I didn't realize the full power and purpose of prayer when I began a true personal relationship with Him when I went to Bible camp at 8 years old. There, I learned that praying to God can just be like talking to a friend. Telling God about my day, how I felt, and asking God my own questions about Him. And if I wanted answers, all I had to do was look in the Bible. 

"You may pray for an hour and still not pray. You may meet God for a moment and then be in touch with Him all day" (Frederik Wisloff). How strong is your prayer life? Is your prayer to God strong enough that you only need to meet with Him for a moment and be in touch with Him all day? Or would you spend hours praying and crying out to Him and still not be able to feel Him?

The purpose of prayer is never to accomplish our own will, but to accomplish God's will. When we use prayer only as an instrument by which our will can be done, than we totally misunderstand prayer. God's intention for prayer was not so that we can have a hotline for instant requests to God. Jesus even said, "Not my will, but thy will be done." But sometimes it is difficult to pray when we don't know the will of God. This is where the Spirit of God intercedes for us and helps us in our weakness - the Spirit intercedes for is when we do not know what to pray for. Isn't it wonderful to have the Spirit pray for us when we have "groanings that cannot be expressed in words"? 

When my rare neurological illness resurfaced last fall with severe symptoms and new consequences for my life, I prayed constantly to God for Him to take away my illness…for complete remission…for a cure. I prayed fervently for good health to return, thinking that if I prayed this for hours and hours - surely God will hear my cry and grant it to me.

Despite these hours of fervent prayer to God, I still did not feel any closer to God. It was only when the Spirit interceded for me and brought to light that I was praying for my own will - not God's will. When I finally started giving more focus to God in my prayers and making it less about me, then I was able to meet with God and finally feel His arms around me. I prayed to God that He can use my illness for His purpose…that He can use me as an example to the broken and the hopeless. That he can help me use my experience to help others who have felt lost because of their own illness and experiences.

Right now I am feeling very healthy - I have not had any symptoms since last fall. My doctors are really happy with my progress and feel that I am on the good road to remission. Is there a chance that my illness may return again? Yes there is. Is there any sign of an upcoming cure? No there is not. Despite all this, I pray instead to God that if I do get sick again - that He will stay with me to endure it, and that I can grow from that experience and help others grow closer to Him because of my faith.

And wherever you are in your prayer life, remember that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). After each prayer request, remember God's wisdom and that He is in control of all circumstances that surround your life. Even in the desert place and the wilderness of life, we can rest in faith that God can use it for His good and His glory.

PRAYER: 

Dear God, You are in control and You know everything about me, even when I sit and when I stand. You know my heart and everything that is in it. I am sorry for the times when my prayers to you have been selfish and I have forgotten to also honour you and give you the praise you deserve. Thank you for sending your Spirit to intercede on my behalf so that He can intercede when I know not what to pray. I pray that you help me see the areas in my life where I need to change my prayer requests because you have something better planned for me according to Your will.

APPLICATION: 

How do you regularly pray to God? Do you set aside special time each day for it, or do you just send up a prayer to Him when you feel like it? Here are some exercises to help boost your prayer life.

Remember the "ACTS" style of prayer each time you spend deep personal time with God, so that You can give Him glory each time.

Adoration (you can praise God's name, sing a worship song)

Confession (confess any sins in your heart, your actions or your thoughts and ask for forgiveness)

Thanksgiving (thank God for all that He has done for you and has provided, thank God for the beloved people in your life)

Supplication (leave your requests to God for last)

Another exercise is to dedicate one day just for praising and thanking God. Spend that whole day only thanking Him and praising Him and try to abstain from requests at that time, so that your prayer's focus can be centred on God.

WORSHIP:

"Aware" by Salvadore

Make me aware, make me see

Everything I am is not all about me

Take my world, turn it around

So that the obvious can finally be found