Intercession Under the Holy Spirit

There are situations where we are burdened to pray but words fail us. At times the enormity of a situation can overwhelm our limited comprehension.

In Romans, the writer Paul teaches us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8: 26-27

I have had experiences that I know in retrospect were caused by the Holy Spirit working to get my attention on behalf of someone else. For example, I will see a car just like that person drives. And then another identical vehicle. By the time a third one comes into view I know something is up. This is not just circumstance or happenstance. I take it as a call to pray on behalf of that person.

A call to pray can happen in any number of ways. I will remember the delicious walnut chocolate chip cookies she made and gave to me.  Then I will begin to wonder what she is doing now. I do not necessarily call that person. Some days I am not even able to make a call, but I can pray. I can lift the last difficult thing I knew she was going through. I can also ask the Metta Prayer, “May she be strong and healthy, peaceful and serene, may she know Your loving kindness and be happy.” There are likely a thousand versions of this prayer. The call might come with an urgency to pray or just a calm prodding. When the call comes to pray, I try to respond with obedience.

If someone asks me for prayer I do not always promise to pray about a certain appointment on a certain day or time. My calendar adherence is not that reliable. I can pray as I walk away from the conversation. I can ask the Holy Spirit to hold me accountable to do the praying at His chosen time and place. If someone asks me to pray for them, I pray for them.

Perhaps you keep a list of people to pray for and do that regularly. That is a wonderful practice! I ask that you also be sensitive to other times the Spirit may ask you to intercede on behalf of someone. Our creative God is unlimited in how to get our attention and obedience. May you be ever sensitive to the call to pray!