6th July 2023
Prayer is not easy
…We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26 (NIVUK)
This weekend will be a time of national prayer for Grace Communion International in the UK and Ireland. I don’t know about you, but prayer is not easy for me. There we are, I’ve admitted it. In fact, it’s a real challenge. It is easier, of course, to talk to God when I want something, or I’m in trouble, but to engage in regular and consistent conversation with my Father in heaven, well that’s another matter.
After all, it can feel rather unnatural to have a conversation with someone you can’t see, or touch, and who doesn’t often talk back. This is why I’m particularly pleased, and very grateful, for the Bible’s portrayal of the disciples. They acknowledged that they didn’t really know how to pray (Luke 11:1), and despite Jesus urging them to be attentive and be with him in his hour of greatest need, they still drifted off into sleep prior to Jesus’ arrest and trial. (Matthew 26:36-46).
If you struggle when it comes to prayer, don’t make it worse by beating yourself up or feeling that there’s something wrong with you. The struggle to pray is simply a part of the human condition. This is why I’m also grateful for the Bible saying: ‘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).
In these verses I think God is acknowledging that prayer is a tough job, which is not easy, and sometimes seems like hard work. So let me encourage you to keep at it, even when you don’t know what to say, for this is when the Spirit will step in and take over for us, and that is incredibly comforting as well as liberating.
Why not start with this simple prayer:
Prayer
Loving Father, teach us how to pray. In conscious devotion, casual conversation, and reflection, help us to walk and talk with you, in the power of the Holy Spirit and through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Camberwell
The Salvation Army Hall
105 Lomond Grove
Camberwell
London SE5 7HN
Local congregational contact:
Barry Robinson
Email: camberwell@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church