TOO DEEP FOR WORDS
Psalm 139:1-4
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
We pray to a God who knows us completely. Prayer is not a magical formula. In fact, words aren't necessarily required. There are some things that are simply too deep for words.
Romans 8:26-27
26 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 groanings too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
When we pray, we trust that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. We also trust that nothing in us is hidden from God's sight. In light of these understandings, here are a few prompts to help guide you in a time of prayer that doesn't require words, but relies on our God given ability to feel.
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
We pray to a God who knows us completely. Prayer is not a magical formula. In fact, words aren't necessarily required. There are some things that are simply too deep for words.
Romans 8:26-27
26 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 groanings too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
When we pray, we trust that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. We also trust that nothing in us is hidden from God's sight. In light of these understandings, here are a few prompts to help guide you in a time of prayer that doesn't require words, but relies on our God given ability to feel.
CONTEMPLATE GOD'S PRESENCE
Think about God and his presence.
Think about how completely God already understands you without your help or words.
Think about how completely God already understands you without your help or words.
FEELING AND PRAYING
Think about a situation you are facing or an emotion you are feeling.
Concentrate on your emotions, not the words that describe how you are feeling. Concentrate on how you are actually feeling.
Don't concentrate on the solution to the situation. Concentrate on how you feel.
Don't try to change your emotion. Concentrate on how you feel.
While you are feeling the emotion, imagine God is present with you; sitting in front of you or beside you.
Communicate your emotion to God by feeling it and knowing that God is watching, present, and understanding.
Avoid words in this moment. In the beginning, it may be difficult to get the words out of your head.
Instead of filling your mind up with words, try filling your mind with the image of God looking at you and your situation, knowing what you feel.
Fill your mind with the belief that God understands you and is with you as you feel these real emotions.
Concentrate on your emotions, not the words that describe how you are feeling. Concentrate on how you are actually feeling.
Don't concentrate on the solution to the situation. Concentrate on how you feel.
Don't try to change your emotion. Concentrate on how you feel.
While you are feeling the emotion, imagine God is present with you; sitting in front of you or beside you.
Communicate your emotion to God by feeling it and knowing that God is watching, present, and understanding.
Avoid words in this moment. In the beginning, it may be difficult to get the words out of your head.
Instead of filling your mind up with words, try filling your mind with the image of God looking at you and your situation, knowing what you feel.
Fill your mind with the belief that God understands you and is with you as you feel these real emotions.