Focus

Be still and rest in the Lord.

---

Read

Romans 8:26-27 (NRSV)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

---

Reflect

“But that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Reading this sentence made me think of my mother. I feel sure that many of us who read this sentence can think of someone, maybe a family member or a friend, who embodies interceding and sighing “too deep for words” on our behalf.

We miss church and that person is praying for us. We say something rude and that person is praying for us. We don’t visit that person as much as we should, and that person is praying for us. Doesn’t it feel good to know that someone is praying for us? We all have weaknesses and we all mess up, but it feels so good to know that someone is praying for us—especially when we mess up.

A person who embodies these characteristics will intercede on your behalf without being asked. He or she will pray that you are well and happy. Such a person will pray that you make good decisions, even knowing that you are not. In this case, the prayer is offered with a “sigh too deep for words.”

---

Pray

Dear Lord, thank you for the people in our lives who pray for us. Thank you for praying for us. Help us to remember to pray for others despite our frustrations and preoccupations and “help us in our weakness.” Amen.

Go with God.