Category Archives: Prayer

Dec27

When You Can’t Find Words, God Hears Your Heart

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There are moments in life when finding the right words to pray feels impossible. Sometimes, the weight of our circumstances leaves us speechless. Whether we’re facing overwhelming challenges, dealing with a heartbreaking loss, or feeling lonely and disconnected from those around us, it can seem as though the words to pray simply aren’t there. When the heaviness in your heart makes it hard to know what to say to God, it’s comforting to know that God hears our hearts — even when words fail us.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

A God Who Understands Even Our Silence

This powerful passage reminds us that when we’re at a loss for words, the Holy Spirit is there, interceding on our behalf. God, who searches our hearts, understands the deepest cries of our soul, even when we can’t articulate them. When we are weak and unable to pray as we should, the Spirit steps in, offering our prayers to God with perfect understanding and in perfect accordance with His will.

Think about that for a moment—the Creator of the universe not only hears our words but listens attentively to the silent groans of our hearts. Whether our prayers are eloquent or unspoken, whether we cry out in desperation or sit in quiet surrender, God hears us. And He is always at work, responding in ways that are best for us.

God Hears You, Even in Your Silence

When words escape you, when the grief or confusion feels too heavy to bear, remember this: God hears your heart. The Holy Spirit is interceding for you, and God’s love and attention never fail. You are never truly alone in your struggles, even when you can’t find the right words to say.

So, when you feel lost in your prayers, take comfort in knowing that the Spirit is speaking for you, bringing your heart’s cries to God. You don’t have to have the perfect words—just an open heart, and God will meet you there.

Even when you can’t find the words, God is listening. He hears your heart.

A Prayer for Today:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being a God who hears our hearts, even when we can’t find the words to pray. When we are overwhelmed or weary, help us to rest in the truth that You are always near, listening and interceding on our behalf. Holy Spirit, thank You for lifting our silent prayers to the Father. Please give us peace in knowing that You understand our deepest needs. We trust in Your love, Your care, and Your perfect will for our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Related Verses:

Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 116: 1 – 2 (TLB): “I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe!”

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Jul15

Shape Your Worries Into Prayers

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"Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 CSB)
  • Don’t worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything.

We use tremendous mental energy when we worry, yet we accomplish nothing. We lose sleep, create stress on our entire body, and take time and focus away from other important things.

Worrying puts us in a state of anxiety as we imagine potential scenarios to solve or avoid potential threats and their potential consequences. It’s our way of trying to pre-plan how we might control the uncontrollable through hypothetical risk analysis.

Paul instructs us to “…shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” (Philippians 4:6 MSG) So the next time you find yourself ruminating over your list of what-if-worst-case scenarios, try verbalizing those swirling thoughts into prayers, letting God know what is troubling you.

What would you say to a friend if you picked up the phone and called to talk about your problems? That’s exactly what you can do when you talk to Jesus. He’s available 24/7 and happy to listen, even when your worried thoughts keep you awake at night.

  • Peace displaces worry.

The wonderful thing about praying our worries to God is that once we lay our cares at His feet, His “peace which surpasses understanding” will settle in and displace our churning anxiety. This divine peace creates a deep sense of inner calmness amid tumultuous trials and is so shocking that it is beyond our explanation.

  • Peace stands guard at the gates of your mind and heart.

The word “guard” in Philippians 4:7 gives us a visual image of soldiers guarding a city gate…from INSIDE the gate. So by praying about your cares and concerns to God, God’s peace will move in and stand guard inside the gates of your mind and your heart to prevent an invasion of fear and worry from overtaking you.

  • Instead of worrying, try this:

Let God transform your worry into peace by trying this: “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:6-7 MSG)

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Dear Lord,

Thank you that I can bring all my concerns and worries to You. Thank you that you are always ready to listen. Help me trust that You know what’s best for me in every situation and that You can make all things work together for good1…even the things I’m worried about. Remind me that with God all things are possible.2 Thank you for Your peace that stands guard at the gate of my mind and my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Related Scriptures:

  • 1“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV )
  • 2“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” (Matthew 19:26 NIV)
  • “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” (Isaiah 26:5 CSB)
  • “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” ~Jesus (Luke 12:25-26 NIV)
Jul9

Be a Prayer Warrior…Not a Prayer Worrier

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“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves.”  James 1: 5 – 7 MSG

On a recent trip to the beach, I sat on the shore and watched the waves roll in. I noticed how occasional gusts of wind blew the crests of the waves, causing a sea spray to shoot a fine mist of salt water into the wind and create seafoam.

The bubbly white foam rolled in with the waves and was deposited on the beach, leaving a collection of effervescent spume at the shoreline. Over time the mounds of frothy bubbles popped and then completely disappeared.

Observing these wind-whipped waves reminded me of James’ description of people who “worry their prayers.” When we mix our prayers with our worries and doubts, the outcome is like blending the wind with the waves, resulting in a buildup of seafoam that seems substantial, but in the end, it produces nothing.

Jesus taught us about the futility of worrying when he said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25 – 26 NIV)

Worrying about our problems causes anxiety without solving anything, but praying about our problems brings peace because when we pray, we know that we have tapped into God’s heavenly storehouse of limitless and unimaginable problem-solving solutions.

Do you ever find yourself worrying about something instead of “boldly, believingly, without a second thought,” laying your cares at the feet of your Heavenly Father?

Don’t waste your time and energy churning with worries and ruminating about actual or imagined problems. Turn to God with your cares and trust that He will help you. He loves to help his children!

Be a Prayer Warrior, not a Prayer Worrier!

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Dear Lord, Thank you that you are available 24/7 and that I can always turn to You in prayer. Forgive me for the times that I “worry my prayers” and fail to trust that You are big enough to handle any request.  When worries start to swirl in my mind, remind me of the wind-whipped waves and help me have faith to boldly and confidently approach Your throne of grace where I know You are ready and willing to help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sep22

Soul Strength

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“On the day I needed You,
I called, and You responded 
and infused my soul with strength.”
Psalm 138:3 (VOICE)
 

 Do you need an infusion of strength in your soul? Then plug into your Divine Power Source through prayer.

Prayer is your direct connection to God.  It is sharing what’s on your heart with your Heavenly Father ~ not that God doesn’t already know what’s on your heart, because He knows that better than you can even express it to Him. But by expressing your heart’s desires to Him, you acknowledge your dependence on Him and your gratitude for His blessings and help. In fact, one of the shortest verses in all the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) says simply, “Pray continually.” So in other words, in all circumstances, never stop talking to God and sharing your heart with Him.

  • When you are worried, pray.
  • When you are afraid, pray.
  • When you are thankful, pray.
  • When you are sick, pray.
  • When you’re in need, pray.
  • When you’re heartbroken, pray.
  • When you are confused, pray.
  • When you are happy, pray.
  • When you need courage, pray.
  • When you need comfort, pray.
  • When you need forgiveness, pray.

Even though God doesn’t always answer your prayers in the exact way you think He should, you can be confident that:

  • He bends down to listen ~ “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalm 116:2 (NLT)
  • He hears your prayers~ “We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things that fit His plan.” 1 John 5:14 (VOICE) 
  • And He answers your prayers ~  “I will answer their prayers before they finish praying.” Isaiah 65:24 (CEV)

So tap into your heavenly source of soul strength through prayer, and remember this good advice, “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Phil 4:6 (MSG)

“Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

“You can get anything—anything you ask for in prayer—if you believe.” Matthew 21:22 (TLB)

Feb23

God Bends Down To Hear Your Prayers

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I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them.
Because He bends down and listens,
I will pray as long as I breathe!  
Psalm 116:1 – 2 TLB
 

Imagine this scene:  “He bends down and listens”…the Creator of the Universe bends down from heaven to hear the prayer you whisper from your lips…the King of Glory stoops down from His throne to incline His ear to your request…your loving Heavenly Father leans down close enough to listen to the words of His precious child….

This awe-inspiring scene is actually our reality.  The blessed truth is that your prayer will always reach God’s ear.  He knows your unique voice, and He hears each plea, request, and petition.  He listens carefully to each prayer of adoration, thanks and supplication.  Not only does He hear your prayers, but He also answers them. He doesn’t always answer them exactly how we think they should be answered, but He answers them according to His best for you.

If you are lonely, God is near.  If you are discouraged, God is listening.  If you are worried, God is attentive to your cares.  If you are afraid, God hears your pleas for help.  If you are heartbroken, God is leaning close enough to hear your cries.

“I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them…”  Because of this amazing truth, “I will pray as long as I breathe!”