I’m usually pretty good with words. I entered debate and public speaking competitions. More often than not, I came home with a trophy or a medal. I enjoy writing. I like to preach and teach. I am usually pretty good with words. And I’m rarely, if ever, at a loss for them.
But sometimes when I pray, especially lately, I just don’t know what to say. The words just won’t come out. I try to tell God what is on my heart and mind. I try to pray the words of Scripture, always a good practice for our prayers. I try to pray about the things that matter to me, that are troubling me or bringing me joy. I try to put all that together and share it with God and ask for God’s guidance and direction. But as I said, lately that has been difficult at best for me. I have learned to just say, “Hey God, it’s me. And... well, you know...”
Paul’s words in Romans 8 are an enormous source of comfort and encouragement. They remind me that I don’t always have to have the words all perfectly formed. I don’t have to speak eloquently. It’s okay if my thoughts aren’t well organized. God doesn’t grow impatient and tell me, “Get it together; you are wasting my time.” Instead, God’s Spirit comes in to pray with me and for me. Paul says that the Spirit intercedes (literally “to intervene or go between”) for me. What I am not able to put into words, no matter how hard I try, God’s Spirit takes, sorts, re-arranges, understands, and then presents to God on my behalf.
God hears it. God fully understands it. God accepts it. God welcomes it. And while it may be disconcerting to me that a self-proclaimed expert on words can’t find the right ones, the desires and longings of my heart do indeed reach God and are lovingly attended to and compassionately answered.