The SOMEHOW Prayer
/“For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26 ESV)
As children of God, through our relationship with Jesus, we are not left on our own to forge our way through the troubling circumstances of life.
Sometimes a particular “trouble” may pull you into despair, seizing your mind and heart. As you become more fearful and anxious – either for yourself or a loved one – words become elusive in describing the torrent of emotions that have hi-jacked your soul.
It was during such moments, when I began to beseech my Father with SOMEHOW praying. I moved into really practicing this freeing prayer years ago when it occurred to me that I possessed no insight, nor resource, nor even the ability to give words to the anxiety that was surging in my soul. And right along with not knowing HOW to pray, I truly did not know WHAT to pray.
Somehow Jesus, will You take over the mind and heart of my child? This child (Your child) needs YOU to do what only You can do in this life and in this situation. According to Jeremiah 1:5 You knew all of Your children before You formed us in the womb. I trust You with Your child.
Somehow God of all knowledge and insight, will You let me know the best way to proceed – show me what’s right for me and for those I love? Your Word tells me in Psalm 32:8 that Your eyes will be my guide.
Somehow Lord, will You hold my hurting heart and mend it as only You
can mend? I read in Psalm 34:18 that YOU are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. I am both brokenhearted and crushed, and SOMEHOW, I need You to heal me.
This kind of praying is freeing – because it wipes out all self-effort, and places total dependence on God.
Perhaps you’ve had those moments when you’ve tried to pray over a situation, a loved one, or yourself. Maybe you’ve had to make a decision that would affect the rest of your life – and it simply HAD TO BE THE RIGHT ONE.
Also, there are those times when you fully confess your love and trust in God but you simply cannot understand WHY He allowed what He allowed. Moments like these can simply leave you clueless and speechless – and yes, heartless.
When we are so burdened with such pressure and pain that it’s impossible to verbalize our prayers, may we just remember that there’s hope and help available through the Holy Spirit.
As you grab hold of Him, loving Him and trusting Him – you can KNOW that God’s Spirit living inside of you is translating all those groans and sighs into “heart and spirit” language – taking every utterance straight to the Throne of God!
‘Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.” (Romans 8:26 The Message)
Dear Father – my great Somehow God – I come before You today with anxiety in my heart. The “what-ifs” overwhelm me and the uneasiness consumes my thoughts and seems to paralyze me, keeping me from moving forward. I know Your desire for me is PEACE. Thank You that I can know that somehow You will make it all ok. I love You and I trust You. Amen.
