Read Romans 8:26-27

26 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. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying,for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. (NLT)

Before we go for that job interview we might well prepare beforehand our responses,ensure we are armed with background information regarding that job. Before we have that serious face-to-face conversation with a troubled family member we will have rehearsed what we might say and be sure we understand what we will say and why we will say it.

It is a pity if we carry over this approach when it comes to prayer. Some have mistakenly suggested that we have to build up our faith,sort out our thinking,get our motives all purified before we pray. Texts like this suggest otherwise. Some prayer is inarticulate: we simply don’t know the best content for our prayers. This is not wilful disobedience on our part but rather living in a fallen world described by Paul in the previous verses.

Bring to God your confused thoughts,your fragmented words,your pain-filled silences,your stumbling faith. Let him get to work on it all. No need to brush ourselves up,put on our best clothes,and have it all together. Prayer helps us get things sorted out so no need to sort things out in advance of prayer.

Rather reminiscent of some who employ cleaners to clean their homes and who yet spend hours cleaning up for the cleaners!

Blessings
David Reay

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