For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26
Heavenly Father,
Today we come to you
on behalf of all of the people
who have “unspoken prayer requests.”
In our church prayer chains,
we have no qualms about asking for prayer
for our ailing aunt or our ongoing job search,
but we are far more reticent
to ask for prayer
for a husband’s struggle with addiction,
a daughter’s struggle with same-sex attraction,
or our own struggle with depression.
What’s worse,
we don’t even know
how to pray for ourselves.
So today, we lift up everyone
who has a prayer request they fear to name.
May we/they remember
“your Father knows what you need
even before you ask him” (Matthew 6:9).
You are listening, you are looking,
and when you see misery, you act (Exodus 2:23-24).
May we/they remember that your Holy Spirit
is actively groaning with and for us (Romans 8:26).
When we can’t put our prayer requests into words,
the Holy Spirit joins in our groans,
and you hear and understand.
May we/they remember that your Son,
our great High Priest,
is praying for us,
and “Therefore, he is able,
once and forever,
to save those who come to God through him.
He lives forever to intercede with God
on their behalf” (Hebrews 7:25).
Finally, may we/they
take heart that the church cares for us
and bears our burdens with us,
even the unspoken ones.
In Jesus’ comforting name. Amen.
Read Matthew 6:5-8; Romans 8:25-34; Hebrews 7:25; James 5:12.
