Hebrews 7:25-26 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
One of the most important aspects of prayer is understanding how God Himself is interceding for us in ways we cannot fathom or comprehend. While Yeshua’s (Jesus) atonement was completed on the cross 2000 years ago, His continuing work of intercession rests soundly on the basis of it. He now lives … to make intercession for us! As our Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever [Hebrews 13:8], He is “faithful and true” and will always intercede according to the Father’s will, both in personal, individual matters, and also as we take up battles in prayer for others, including every arena of spiritual warfare.
In this light, our opportunity in prayer is simply to “show up” for it. This can be a real relief for many, who might say or think, “I’d like to be more involved in prayer, but I just don’t know how or what to pray.” The passage in Romans 8, above, is such an encouragement. The Lord has already acknowledged our ignorance and helplessness in prayer, “For we do not know what to pray as we ought…”
But if we resolve to simply “show up” as His volunteers [Psalm 110:3], He will immediately “show up” to help us and to inspire and even interpret the prayers His Spirit in us prays, even with “groanings too deep for words”. You see, we don’t even need words to know how to pray.
Prayer may be the most multi-faceted spiritual activity, since it can find expression in virtually every realm of human existence. It is praise, counsel, cries for help, desperation, vindication, deep love, compassion, rescue, comfort, appreciation, gratitude, confession, sorrow, grief, groaning, intercession, intense joy, etc.etc.etc. There is and never will be a limit to the possibilities of prayer. This is why Paul unhesitatingly encourages believers to “pray without ceasing”.
Don’t worry about saying the “perfect prayer” or having the “perfect words” … just “show up” with your faith and resolution to commune with God’s Spirit in prayer. If you persevere in this, casting away every vain thought, determined to connect with Him, pour out your heart, express your cares and concerns, fight your battles, you’ll discover a depth of relationship with God which you’ve always longed for, and be piling up treasure with and for Yeshua.
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