Day 15

The Power of Prayer (3 of 3)

from the Lent 2016 reading plan


Philippians 4:6-7, James 5:13-16, Psalm 131:1-3, Romans 8:26-30

BY Guest Writer

Text: Philippians 4:6-7, James 5:13-16, Psalm 131:1-3, Romans 8:26-30

The question has been posed to me almost daily in this season: “What do you want to do?”

My husband and I are in a crux we didn’t plan for, one that necessitates a job change and possibly a move—and quick. There are three solid options on the table, one of which is to stay here in Denver, in the home we love, in the city we felt God calling us to a year ago. The others take us to the opposite side of the country, near where we both grew up. Neither option to move back east seems best today. I don’t know what to ask for, and I don’t know what to pray. My prayers lately resemble something like this: I don’t know, but You do, so just do it quick—even if it hurts.

I feel weak of praying. I don’t mean tired of praying, I mean weak in it. Praying feels like the weakest thing I could do and the most necessary. Never in all my life have I felt so out of control of my own life and person—and I’m weak for it. I feel bruised, sucked in, spit out, worn over, trampled, even crushed. I am like one with dry mouth trying to ask for a drink of water; more desirous than ever, and unable to form the words with a parched throat and cracked lips.

My will is strong, my body is weary.

In these moments, I’m tempted to keep quiet because God knows my prayers anyway; He knows the words I’d say if I could. In Romans 8:26, we read, “The Spirit also joins to help in our weakness.” It would seem more fitting if it said, “The Spirit will carry us along in our weakness,” but it doesn’t. It says, “joins.”

The Holy Spirit comes to us, gets down in the trench with us, imbeds inside us, melds against and with us, and helps in our weakness. This changes things. A parched person need not cry out for water if one who is satiated joins her pleas, groaning alongside her for what she needs.

This is what the Holy Spirit does for me and you. He dips down and hears those earnest and difficult cries, and He, who knows the will of God, takes every petition to the Father who gives good gifts (Matthew 7:11). Our prayers are not powerful because we ourselves are powerful. The power of prayer lies in the power of God.

I do not know what to pray for as I should, but I know the Holy Spirit joins with me. He knows what I need better than I ever could.

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:6-7

Lore Wilbert is the Director of Community and Formation at Park Church, Denver, and writer at Sayable.net. Find her on twitter @lorewilbert.

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Post Comments (133)

133 thoughts on "The Power of Prayer (3 of 3)"

  1. Kara says:

    I love (and hate) that illustration of the parched prayer in the trenches. I’m there with you, exhausted and spent and not even knowing if it’s worth praying anymore. And the Holy Spirit brings refreshing through this devotion. Thank you, Lord, for sisters everywhere that are honest in their walk and help to lead us back to Your heart

    1. Paulyn says:

      Kara, I just read your comment and it resonated so much with me. I have many moments in my life, even at this very moment where I feel exhausted and spent praying. Yet, I know that stopping will not do anything. Stay persistent in whatever you are asking God for!

  2. Julia says:

    Something that stood out to me in reading the passage from Romans was not just that the Spirit intercedes when we don’t have any words, but also intercedes when our prayers are not what they “ought” to be. When our requests – even those coming from a genuine desire to serve God or to love people well – are not in our best interests according to the will of God, the Spirit comes along side us to bring before God the correct request. It’s such a beautiful and gracious thing that He does for us!

  3. Anastasia says:

    Don’t worry about anything:
    -Tell God what you need
    -Thank Him for all He as done
    Then you will experience God’s peace

    That act of counting your blessings and trading all your worries for all His peace is such a gift! And He asks us to do it DAILY!

  4. Erin says:

    Clearly I am a day behind, but this is so on time (of course). I can relate so much right now, to that feeling of restlessness about what’s ahead, and just weakly asking God to see whatever it is, through. I’m worn out from asking him to do that, really. And he’s probably like “okaaaaay. Girl. I’m working, though you can’t see it yet.” It is SO comforting in that place, to remember that the Holy Spirit is my Helper and my advocate during times when my human brain has just timed out. What a blessing to know that we have a guide when we feel like we’re just meandering around. One look over my shoulder shows me clearly that I’m not, and that (sometimes seemingly haphazard trail) has been for purpose, and for good.

  5. Jenn says:

    On a side note, I had so much fun researching the hymn! Ms. Annie Hawks wrote “I Need Thee Every Hour” when she was a young mother of 37 as she was “busy with her regular household chores…” Sah-WEET.

  6. Meghann says:

    “My will is strong, my body is weary”!!! Yes! So we’ll put!

  7. Love this. So thankful we can pray to our Father at any time. And when we don’t know what to pray the Spirit intercedes for us, strengthens us. I’m desperately trying to learn right now how to rely on the Lord for everything in life and not myself. So often I put so much pressure and a burden on myself when it’s not mine to bear. My job is to rest in God and to enjoy my relationship with Him. Rest and enjoy two things I’m learning to do. The more I do those things the more affective I’ll be in living out the Great Commission.

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