Do you ever try to tell God what to do? At times, I have certainly tried to orchestrate things. I say, "God, if You could take this step, then this step, and make this person do this and that, then I think that we'd have the problem solved!" I can imagine God saying, "Thank you, Jeanie. I didn't think of that!" At times, we do need to pray very specific prayers, but He doesn't need blow-by-blow instructions every time we pray. If He can set all of the stars in place, I am sure that He can solve my small problems.

There have been times when I have been speechless, planless, and frustrated by not knowing what to pray. I had no suggestions for God; I was only hurt and groaning. At times, I have opened my hands and said, "Here it is, Lord. I don't even know what to pray." Many times, I knew that even if I were guaranteed a "yes" from God, I didn't know which way I should pray. That is why I have always loved this Scripture:

Romans 8:26 – 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 with groans that words cannot express. (NIV)

What inspires me most is the one little word, "himself". The Scripture says that the Spirit himself will intercede on my behalf. Can you imagine the Creator of everything taking the time to intercede and translate my confusion for me?

As I have been writing today, I have been interrupted several times by Larry, my dear husband. In the basement, he has a project going on that has needed my help. As he holds "thousands" of pounds (to hear him tell it) he has been asking me to get him certain tools. "Over there in the case that holds a thingamajig, there is a doohickey that I need" — or at least that's what I thought he said. I search for the tool, only to bring him the wrong thing. Grimacing, he explains again in a more annoyed voice what he needs. With eyes straining to see what he is talking about, I try again, only to let him down again. Right about now, he needs someone to intercede on his behalf and speak in a language that I can comprehend — someone who knows exactly what he needs and where to find it.

Fortunately, the Spirit himself knows what I need and where to find it. When I petition God, I sometimes talk in circles, I ramble, I do not make sense, but I am glad that there is no language barrier when it comes to God. Hallelujah! "The Spirit himself intercedes"!

I hear a voice from the basement asking me for channel locks and needle-nose something or other, so I've got to go!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that Your Spirit knows exactly what we need and intercedes on our behalf when we don't know what to pray for. Amen.