Some days, I don’t know what to pray. I know God calls His children to pray. I know that prayer means something and has power. But there are days when I sit before the Lord speechless. And it’s then that I’m so comforted by a few really big truths.

4 Truths that Comfort

ONE | Jesus is praying for me (and you).

Scripture teaches that Jesus is sitting beside the Father, waiting for the day of His return. And while He waits, He stays engaged in my life as His follower. He intercedes for me according to the will of God. (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1) He prays that I/you would be kept from evil and sanctified by His Spirit. What a gift.
 

TWO | The Spirit is praying for me (and you).

Not only is Jesus interceding, the Spirit of God intercedes for us “with groanings too deep for words…according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27) Which is why Romans 8:28 can be declared! Because the Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God, for those who love God, “all things work together for good.” (8:28) That is precious truth!
 

THREE | The Father remains in complete control.

A few years back the sovereignty of God became foundational to my own walk with Him. He graced me with deep faith in His complete control. If not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart His sovereign will, then I can totally trust that, no matter what comes into my life, it has passed through His Father hands. (Matthew 10:29) God isn’t playing catch-up with the enemy’s schemes. (I talk a lot about this in my study Fruitful Affliction.)
 

FOUR | Praying God’s Words are words enough.

I do believe that as God’s child I get to ask for things/situations/circumstances from my Father. I get to approach Him with requests that impact daily happenings. But when I don’t know what to pray for the everyday circumstances, something I can always pray is His Word. “Father, sanctify me according to Your Word.” “Lord, I trust You’re working all of this together for good.” “Father, I count this trial as joy because I know You are kind and in control.”
 

Not License to Lazy.
Rather, Freedom to Praise.

Yes, we’re called to pray. Jesus teaches us how to pray. And prayer changes things. It draws us closer to our Maker and shifts our perspective. It can make the proverbial mountains crumble and call forth the Kingdom of God onto earth. But when the words just won’t come, I’m so comforted to know that I’m not alone. My God is in control. The Son intercedes for me. The indwelling Spirit prays for me according to the will of the Father. And His Word is a gift to guide me straight to the Father’s heart.

Resting in these truths isn’t license to laziness in our prayer lives. Resting in these truths ushers in a freedom to praise. And as we praise Him — delighting in Him and spending time with Him — words will eventually flow again.
 
Fill me, Lord…

What truths comfort you when you struggle to know what to pray?
 

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For those not going through my study, hopefully you will still be encouraged with this brief teaching on…fear. Yep. Fear.

The truth is that as long as we live on planet earth, fears will arise. But if we are in Christ, then fear is not our inheritance. Fear does not have to be our dwelling place. I pray that as we walk through unknowns this week, God would graciously teach us how to take our thoughts captive to truth. He is good. He is faithful. He is actively loving each of His children in the now situations that mark our lives.

Fruitful Affliction Week Two Video Teaching
(Superficial note: I’m not sure why my hair is wonky in that last scene. Call it motherhood.)

Press in and press on, friends.

 
Fill me, Lord…

For those going through the study, what is God teaching you? I’d love to hear.

 

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