by Melody Jo Hamor
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. Romans 8:26 (NLT)
Some of my most passionate, heart felt prayers start out with, “Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!” What’s the English translation for that, you might ask? Well, it’s something along the lines of, “GOD HELP ME! I CAN’T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!”
Seriously though, I have days that I feel like I’m going to explode! There’s just so much being asked of me and I’m overwhelmed. Some days it feels as if I’m defeated before I even get started. Basically, my work load is weighing me down and there are moments when I don’t even know where to start. Okay, so maybe that’s just the life of a full time college student who’s also a full time wife, homemaker, volunteer, fill-in-the-blank, and I ought to just suck it up, get over it, and get on with it. Let’s see – have you ever felt more equipped to take on the day once someone has said to you, “Just get over it?” No?
Hmmm…somehow I’m not surprised.
I absolutely cannot get through my day and my to-do list without the Lord’s help. But sometimes when I pray about these things, my mind is flooded with so much angst that I don’t even know what to ask for. Do I pray for the Lord to help me get it done, to help me learn to delegate, to help me say “No” more often, to take on fewer tasks, to what?! This Scripture in Romans 8 reassures me that my groaning and pleading is heard by God, and that the Spirit prays for me in groanings as well. The Lord knows what I need even before I ask Him (see Matthew 6:8). I don’t have to know the perfect prayer, the perfect solution, the perfect words… I just need to know the One who is – the One who bends down to hear and answer my prayers. In that case, “Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!” isn’t such a crazy way to start a conversation with God.
He’s pleased just to hear me say that I need Him. He’s pleased that I want to sit with Him for a while and listen for His answer in my heart. He’s pleased to know that I love Him and trust Him.
Lord, I know You hear me when I’m groaning for Your help. Thank You for always listening to my needs, and providing for them, even when I’m not sure what they are. Please help me to do my best and please rescue me from anything that will hinder my efforts. I need Your help to be a woman of excellence. Please make Your path clear for me to follow. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.






