Today’s scripture: Romans 8:28-30 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):
There are times when I just don’t know what to pray. Sure there are always the usual requests for health, safety, and security. It seems that there are always family members, friends, and church members to pray for. The list of wants and needs sometimes seems to be never ending. But still there are times when I feel as if my prayers are inadequate, tedious, or at the very least selfish.
Do you ever fail to pray for something because you don’t know how to pray about it? Just last night I found myself restless during the time that was supposed to be my sleeping time. It seems I couldn’t get my mind to stop racing. There always seems to be so much to do and so little time to do it. Even after I lay down and turn off the lights, my mind doesn’t want to stop going. Like a runaway train, even after the tracks have run out, the locomotive that is my brain just wants to keep on chugging along.
Usually, during these restless times I try to focus my mind on prayer conversation with God. But last night I couldn’t even slow my brain down long enough to do that. I found myself distracted and a little frantic. What if I lose my job? What if I wreck my car? What would happen to my life if I became seriously ill? How am I going to get the repairs done around my house? God there is so much to do and so much to worry about. I can’t handle it all!
Sometimes life seems paralyzing. Often, so do my prayers. God, what is Your will for my life? Am I on the right track or have I gone horribly awry? Am I even close to the place you planned for me?
As I read today’s scripture, I understand that we have explicit instructions to take all things to God in prayer. Even when we don’t know what to pray, the spirit helps us. But after I have taken all things to God in prayer, verse 28 is a reminder of what my attitude ought to be once I have prayed. All of our trials, situations, issues and concerns work together for the good of those who love the Lord.
While life may seem hectic at times, and trials and tribulations come, we can take comfort that God has a plan and has promised us that all things, whether good or bad, easy or difficult, work together for the good of those who love the Lord. All I need to do is pray. I don’t have to wrestle with the concerns of whether or not my prayers are exactly in line with God’s will. No more thoughts about wondering what to say. God searches our hearts and knows that we only want what God wants for our lives. We must merely pray, and know that the Spirit always gets it right.
Pray on, my friends. Pray on.
Thought for the day: Pray Anyway!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.