Aug 11
Today’s Truth
The Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26 NKJV).
Friend to Friend
We were sitting around the family table when my mom announced, “Suzie, you didn’t talk until you were 
four.”
Um, what?
This was news to me. “So, are you saying that I was quiet?”
“Nope, you didn’t talk at all. Not a word. In fact, if it hadn’t been for your sister, we would have never known what you needed.”
My sister is four years older than me. Evidently, she became a student of her little sister who had no words. When I wanted a drink, she told mom. When I was tired or hungry, she made certain that this was communicated.
I eventually found my words, but may I be honest with you?
There have been other times when I’ve lost my words. As a teenager, I didn’t know if things would ever change at home. I didn’t know how to ask God for help. As a young mom, I held my precious baby in my arms who was born with a serious birth defect. I didn’t know what to do with my feelings of fear. When my husband was unhappy with his job and it changed his laid-back and fun personality to quiet sadness, I prayed but wasn’t sure what to ask God for. For many of us, there are moments where words simply do not adequately describe how we feel, what we need, or what we desperately desire from God.
Romans 8:26 reminds us that there is someone who does know.
“The Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26 NKJV).
My older sister knew me and advocated for me when I didn’t have words, but this is so much more than that. The Holy Spirit knows us, every part of who we are, every struggle of our heart, and every hope of our dreams.
He also knows the heart of God over us. When we are unable to express in words what we want to say, the Spirit Himself steps in and clearly places our deepest needs before the Father.
I don’t know about you, but that truth brings me such joy. It also removes the pressure from my prayer life. You and I don’t have to have the right words. We don’t have to know exactly what is needed in a situation. We don’t even have to try to explain how it makes us feel.
He already knows.
Today, if you have no words, be encouraged, sweet friend. As you step into that place of prayer, the Holy Spirit sees your heart. He understands what you want to say. Your deepest needs are already being shared. Perfectly. Succinctly.
With all the right words.
Let’s Pray
Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I may not have the words. I may struggle to tell You what I need, but I’m so thankful that You already know. The Holy Spirit knows my heart and intercedes for me. I trust in that today,
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Have you ever allowed a lack of words to keep you from connecting with God?
Today, walk into that sacred place of prayer. Simply sit in His presence. Take the pressure off. He already knows what you need.
More from the Girlfriends
Does the Holy Spirit feel like a mystery? Suzie’s book, The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith 
Without Borders gently removes the mystery to reveal the daily joy of walking your faith with the one Jesus called our Helper.
Another powerful resource when you have no words is Suzie’s new podcast, Prayer Starters. Spend 2-3 minutes 5 days a week and connect with a Heavenly Father who loves you more than you can imagine. You can find Prayer Starters on your favorite podcast platform or live stream it at KLRC.
(As an Amazon Associate, Girlfriends in God earns A SMALL COMMISSION from qualifying purchases using this paid link.)
© 2022 by Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
Did someone forward this devotional to you? Click here to receive Girlfriends in God weekday devotions delivered directly to your inbox!
It’s so amazing to know we have a God that knows our needs. And there are times when I don’t know what to pray for and he does know my heart. I know God sees my weaknesses today and I don’t have to struggle to share my needs with him. He already knows. How awesome.
It takes away all the pressure, doesn’t it? <3
When going through the devastation of a broken marriage and feeing my family torn apart I truly had no words. I was so shattered that I could only kneel on the floor with my head on the ground and ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for me. Not a good place to be in reality but truthfully I had never felt so close to the savior than during this time in my life.
Am, this is strong and beautiful. Thank you.
Susie, “Thank You” for you written prayer.
Yesterday, got to spend some time with friends and a Pastor/friend of ours, at an outdoor event. On on the back of the Pastor’s t-shirt was the imprint of 1 John 4:4, “Greater is HE who is in me, than he who is in the world.”
I didn’t realize until this morning, my own prayer of wanting to be filled with more of strength, faith and the boldness of Jesus, that God was giving me a reminder; HE can work with my own weakness!
“He already knows”, and Sheila, you are so right. How awesome is God?!
Yes, and amen, Carol! : )
A lot if times my prayers are simple. Help Lord help!
Which is a perfect prayer!
Girlfriends, I look forward to each devotional of the day. God was working way ahead of me through you Ladies. I marvel each day when I open my eyes to find God has blessed me with another day. My morning time with Him is cherished. Just having celebrated my 74th birthday, I have learned I am not too old to still learn new things each day. My mobility has slowed me to less than Granny speed, LOL, but none the less I still am blessed to be able to be a blessing to others. My mission field starts with family and friends and ripples out into the world. Even a pebble makes a ripple. Even the smallest pebble has an effect. Make sure your efforts are positive and loving.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Blessings to you and everyone. Make it a great day. ☺️❤️🙏
What a beautiful ministry, Trish. I love this.
I’m amazed (though why I should be, after all this time I don’t know) but God always uses one of my Sisters to give me
This is helpful and met a need for me today. Thanks, Suzie.
Wow, that resonated with me in a special way as I’ve had a mentally challenged child who has an extremely rare chromosomal defect & she has never really talked very much. We had another girl 6 yrs later & that child was just the competition our daughter needed & she was very close with her older sister, but in 6th grade she wrote a paper for English about What One Thing in the World would she change if she could. She wrote about her older sister & wanted to give her a new brain so she’d know what it was like to have a normal big sister to share all her secrets with, etc. This child now is a medical group home & recently one of the nurses had taken her for a medical appt. & while they were sitting waiting to see the Dr. she asked the lady across from where they were sitting, “What are you drinking?” & the lady replied she was drinking coffee. The nurse asked our daughter if she liked coffee & she replied “Yes” so on the way home she stopped & got her a cup of coffee & now at the home the ask her if she wants coffee in the AM–sometimes it’s a “No” reply & other times “Yes”. This nurse had never heard our daughter talk & she was shocked at what she heard. In 1998 the Dr. who did the diagnosis told us that once & a while she would open that little brain & her mouth & let us know what is going on & so it’s been. She has put yarn ties on laminated texts & bookmarks we make-a job she learned to do over 30 yrs ago & has done thousands since this COVID thing trying to keep busy; so she’s been a little missionary in her own way. Our other daughter was killed in an auto accident in 1995; so this has been a huge challenge for us.