October 30
My two teenagers are just a few years from being legal adults and moving out on their own. It has made me start thinking through all the things I want them to know before that happens. Can they do their own laundry? Are they able to cook for themselves? Will they be able to budget their money?
Jesus did the same thing for his followers. Many of his teachings were for the benefit of the masses, but some were just for his disciples. As he got closer to the time of his arrest, Jesus spent time making sure his followers understood his role as Messiah, not just teacher. Then he gave them this beautiful promise of the Holy Spirit. He knew before they did how much they would need strength in their knowledge of him to get through the crucifixion and ministry to come.
One of my favorite verses about the Holy Spirit is in Romans 8: 26. “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.” This was something that often came to mind in the middle of a hospitalization with my daughter, Leah. I sat there without a clue what to pray. My mind was so tired from all the medical jargon and stresses of the day that my prayers were no better than a preschooler’s would have been.
Good news! Our prayers don’t need to be perfect. Romans 8 goes on to say “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. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Your simple prayers are just as effective as elaborate ones would be. The important thing is the conversation with our Father.
Someday my phone will ring and it will be my children asking how to do something. Maybe they will have a situation that it is too difficult to deal with on their own. Or maybe they will want my thoughts on a choice they have to make. They will want my help. As children of God we can do the same thing through prayer. I hope you call on God today. He loves you.
Prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, thank you for knowing what I need and working things together for good in my life. Help me to listen to the urgings of the Holy Spirit and help me to bring my worries to you in prayer. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
