Devotionals

Putting It Together

by Anne Adams
08/20/23
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Putting It Together

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 (New Living Translation)

 Ginger was a busy babysitter for the children in her church, and one of her favorite of her charges  was four year old Katie, the pastor’s daughter. One evening as her parents attended an important church meeting, Ginger came to the parsonage to take care of Katie. They had a light supper, then read books, and played games until bedtime. Then after a bath, Katie got into her pajamas, and snuggled under the covers to say her prayers.

She put her hands together and closed her eyes, then she took a deep breath and began: , “Dear Lord .. A...B...C...D...E...F...G...”  With another breath she resumed. “H...I...J...K....”

A curious Ginger continued to listen as Katie went on: “L...M....N...O..P...Q...R...S...T...U...V...”  Then with "WXYZ" run together and a quick “Amen!”  Katie dropped her hands and reached up to hug Ginger who had a question for her  “Well, that’s unusual - but were you just having fun?”

Katie shook her head emphatically. “Oh, no, I was really praying! I was just saving God some time!  Daddy says that we don't know what to pray for, but God does. So I thought if I just said the letters He'll put them together into the right words!"

Katie of course was trying to deal with a situation that I frequently have to cope with on my spiritual journey as I try to communicate with God. My quandary is this: how do I as frail imperfect human being pray to a righteously perfect God?  A good question but actually that just as God takes care of our material needs he also provides a way for us to pray effectively. For as our passage says, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit the Lord not only understands everything involved and is able to respond perfectly.  Then he comes through with the right answers -   for our benefit and his glory!