This desperate prayer? It is probably the one that frequents my heart and my lips the most. I’m a woman of many words, but there are times. There are so many times that I know the most edifying words? The words that will encourage and soothe hurting souls? Those words aren’t by my strength. Those words must come from the Almighty God. …and I can’t muster those words up on my own. Goodness. There are so many times that I shouldn’t muster up the words. People don’t need to hear us when they are hurting. They need to hear from Jesus.
The instances are more than I could ever possibly count. Time upon time, a friend has shared her heart with me and I have listened to realize I simply have no words. In those times, I have quickly prayed, “God, please give me the words to say. Speak through me, Lord.” I often pause. I hold back my chatty ways and choose the silence. I wait for the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart. Sometimes the silence is deafening and long….and I simply listen and wait. Yet God never fails. A Bible verse, a song lyric, a simple kindness presses on my heart and in faith, I know God provides words when we ask Him. I’ve often told my friend that I don’t have the words but I prayed and God reminded me of a scripture verse or a recent sermon or perhaps an article I’ve read that will speak to her heart. Other times, I choose to simply respond, all the while praising God in the depths of my soul and thanking Him for comforting my friend.
It isn’t a special talent of mine. It’s simply an opportunity to ask God for help and to choose His wisdom over mine. Believe me. His perfect wisdom should always, always, always reign over any flimsy speck of my own wisdom. And sweet friend, we can go to the Lord with these simple, desperate prayers because He cares about the simple requests. He loves those friends of ours. He is close to the broken-hearted.
Cast all your cares to God, because He cares for you.” ~1 Peter 5:7
If we are ever going to live like Jesus? We must go to the Heavenly Father in prayer. Jesus did. Disclaimer: Jesus was far more patient and prayed far better than I do. He often went to the quiet and isolated placed to pray. I’m not exactly a picture of the perfect prayer life. Clearly. Jesus was perfect, you know. I’m just working with what I’ve got over here and so far? {…and I’m driving to do far better still.} Nonetheless, this frequent prayer for words has proven to be a far more edifying choice than my own clumsy wordiness. And in our time of need? And in someone else’s time of need? I truly believe running to the throne of the Most High God is a much better alternative than operating on our own strength.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” ~Luke 5:16
On this sixth day of October and this 31 Days of Missional Living Series, I fully believe we have to surrender to the ways of God. Part of surrendering to the heart and will of God is surrendering to the words of God. How can we best love people? We can best love people by treating them as Jesus would. How can we best comfort people, answer tough questions, speak to their hearts? There are times we must choose silence. There are times we must admit we do not have the answers. There are times we must reply with, “Let me look into God’s Word (The Bible) and come back to you with an answer from scripture.” There are times that we can best love people by speaking to them as Jesus leads us to speak.
We must surrender our own words in exchange for His. We must allow our lives, hearts, and the words of our mouths to be a vessel for God to meet the needs of the broken.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”
~Psalm 19:14
We need to live as Jesus called us to live. We must follow His example. We must ask for His help. He is faithful. He is good. He cares for you and His love never fails. Trust in His provision for your heart and your words. May we speak His love to those around us and to the ends of the earth.
From my heart to yours, ~Courtney
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This is so true. Jesus has the words of comfort and often brings those to our minds. This past week my nrother in law unexpectedly passed away. The best thing that people did was to pray for us and to be present loving in us. Sometimes in meeting others nèeds we need to shut up and just be there.
Absolutely, Jeremy. Please extend my condolences to your wife. I’m so sorry to hear about the unexpected passing of your mother-in-law. I completely agree with you. Sometimes the very best way we can love others is to simply show up to their lives. Presence is a gift.
Got to love typos from writing on a phone. It was my brother in law. I will pass it on. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for this post.
Oh, I see. I’m sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. Prayers for your family!