We do not know what we should pray for as we ought

by Victor Kubik May 15, 2024

Are you finding it difficult to pray? In our modern world, brimming with constant stimuli and endless distractions, focusing our minds and engaging in meaningful communication with God can be an uphill battle. The rapid pace of information and the myriad demands on our attention often leave us feeling scatterbrained and unfocused. As a result, our well-intentioned efforts at prayer can sometimes feel unsatisfactory or even embarrassing as we grapple to find the right words to speak to our Creator, who we hope is listening.

Years ago, a prayer book provided a structured, focused way for me to pray. The words were all there, carefully crafted and familiar. However, this repetitiveness became monotonous over time, and the prayers lost their personal touch.

When I transitioned to more extemporaneous prayer, I had a fresh opportunity to explore new content, express genuine praises, and present specific requests. This approach allowed me a deeper, more personal connection with God. Yet, with the advent of electronic prayer lists and the overwhelming flow of information, our prayers can become burdensome. Instead of being a help, these lists became weighty.

We may be inundated with so many requests and concerns that we wonder if we are even addressing God respectfully and properly. This can lead to feelings of guilt and frustration, as our prayers seem more like a monologue with ourselves rather than a conversation with the Divine.

In moments like these, Romans 8:26 in the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible offers comfort and reassurance: “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.” This verse reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles to pray effectively. God sends the Holy Spirit to assist us, stepping in when our words fall short, and our thoughts become jumbled. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Advocate, and Comforter, among many more things.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our prayer life is a profound gift. When we are at a loss for words, the Spirit intercedes on our behalf, communicating our deepest needs and desires to God. This divine assistance transcends the limitations of our human language and understanding, ensuring that our prayers reach the heart of our Creator.

To apply this verse to our prayer life, we can start by acknowledging our weaknesses and the difficulties we face in maintaining focus and clarity. Instead of feeling guilty or frustrated, we can invite the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers, trusting that even our imperfect attempts are heard and valued by God. We can also practice being still and quiet in God’s presence, allowing the Spirit to speak to and through us in ways beyond our conscious efforts. While the modern world presents many challenges to our prayer life, we can find solace in the promise of Romans 8:26.

The Holy Spirit is our helper, interceding for us and transforming our fragmented thoughts into meaningful communication with God. By embracing this divine support, we can deepen our prayer life and experience a more profound connection with our Creator, despite the distractions and demands of our daily lives.

As we approach the Day of Pentecost which celebrates the coming or the Holy Spirit in spectacular way to the Church, let’s allow it to work in our lives through prayer.