Groanings

And 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. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
Romans 8:26-27 NLT
http://bible.com/116/rom.8.26-27.NLT

I once asked myself,  how can I pray to God if I don’t yet know who He is? I asked, How can I make sure that I’m not praying to some construct of my own mind, or some false substitution, or some idea or image of God that the world has given me that isn’t quite “the one true God”.

Because aren’t there many false teachers today that would try to lead us onto deceitful paths?

But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 NLT
http://bible.com/116/2co.11.14-15.NLT

And in my weakness, I can admit how little I truly know of the wholeness of God’s glory. Now, this does NOT mean that I do not know God – because I do. He draws me and teaches me daily,  even moment to moment if I am willing to listen – and when I am distracted,  He knows how to get my attention with a correction. But no one has seen the Father, God in His full glory.

NOTE: A great article on this topic: https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/face-to-face/

So I would ask myself, if I don’t fully understand Him, and I don’t even understand His will, How can I ever pray to Him and be praying in His will instead of just treating Him like a great Genie in the sky – trying foolishly to change God, or hoping for miraculous changes to my circumstances, instead of hoping that He will change me.

You see, the type of life altering prayer – praying in the Spirit – is not as much about talking as it is worshipping. It isn’t as much about the things and needs of this temporary world – but about those things spiritual and eternal. It isn’t as much about our current circumstances,  but about God,  and about our relationship and our part in His eternal Kingdom. And when I talk about His Kingdom, I’m not talking about a “one day in heaven after I die” – I’m talking about a “today walking in the Spirit amongst a world in need of a Savior”.

So the questions become more about our faith and our reliance upon the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide or lives – or are we content marching along to the beat of our own drum?

We are not alone. We don’t have to do this life alone. We do not have to win the battle on our own. He is fighting for us, even in our prayers. The victory is sure and it is complete. We now get to see it unfold before our eyes. Even when we don’t know how to pray,  even when we don’t know what to pray,  He is our advocate and our comforter.

Yes,  it truly is a heart thing.

Is your heart in harmony with God’s will today? What adjustments need to be made in your life? If you know the answer,  that is conviction,  don’t ignore it,  but repent. If you don’t know the answer, cry to Him with all your heart, praying in the Spirit, trusting Him to plead for you, mold you, grow you, and change you.

Have you acknowledged the groanings in your heart? Can’t you feel the groanings of your heart waiting to be lifted? Let the walls come crashing down. Get rid of your fear and doubt. Let the Holy Spirit pray for you today,  friend.