Romans 8:26–27 (NKJV) — 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our
weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but
the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the
Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will
of God.
Prayer. True prayer. Paul wrote, “For we do not know what we should pray for
as we ought.” Samuel M. Zwemer wrote, “True prayer is God the Holy Spirit
talking to God the Father in the name of God the Son, and the believer’s
heart is the prayer room.”
I find myself at times calling out to God but not really knowing what to pray.
What do we pray for? Maybe our prayer should be to just clear our mind, our
thoughts, and just listen. We must be careful! We must be praying “in the
Spirit.” We must prepare ourselves to hear God and not the voice of another
“god.” The Word of God, the Scripture, the Bible is our source of preparation
in coming before Him. The Bible and prayer are companions in hearing God’s
voice. Prayer is not emptying our minds but filling our mind with God’s Word.
Prayer is more listening to God than speaking to Him.
Prayer is not self-centered. It is God centered. Prayer is for God’s will to be
done through our lives. Our prayers are not to be selfish prayers. Many
others are in spiritual warfare. We must join together in prayer. We are to
pray intensely for other followers of Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:18,
“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful
to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
Before speaking to God…listen to God. Hear God’s voice. Read, study His
Word the Bible. Jesus prayed, in Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will,
take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
We do not know the anguish another is going through. We do not know the
pain another is dealing with. Every true follower of Christ is fighting a
spiritual warfare. The demons are knocking on the door. Instead of criticizing
and condemning we should be lifting others up to God in prayer. Our focus is
Christ. Jesus did not pray for His will to be done. He prayed for the Fathers
will do be done.
In your quiet time with God, begin it with an open mind to God. Read His
Word the Bible. Let God speak to you through His Word.