When Words Run Out

 

JULY 18, 2025

 

Romans 8:26

“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.”

Have you ever sat down to pray, and nothing, no words seemed to come out?

Oh, maybe you started with a few words, but they soon disappeared into silence. Perhaps for you the pain was too deep, or a circumstance seemed too complicated. Have you ever had those moments when you felt overwhelmed, or stuck, or just did not know how to begin to pray. After all, prayers need words to be spoken, words that bring clarity and confidence in what we offer to God. What if our most powerful prayers are sometimes the ones that sound more like cries and deep sighs than sentences?

Prayer, at its heart, is not a performance or a polished speech. It’s a sacred space of relationship, where we bring our hearts as they are, not as we wish they were. It’s not about impressing God; it’s about encountering Him. If you have some familiarity with Psalms in the Old Testament you can likely think of a few examples where the poet brings there heart’s as they are.

That’s, I believe, the beautiful promise of Romans 8:26. When we don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit steps in. Now, it is important to understand this teaching, the Holy Spirit doesn’t correct our prayers, rather the Holy Spirit carries them. What read is that the Holy Spirit intercedes not with better wording, or fancy phrases but with “groans too deep for words.” That is holy mystery. That is wonder.

I think of the person overwhelmed by the cares of life who from their bed each night, pray with a weary deep exhale and whispers, “God, I need You.” No set formula. Just presence. Just need.

I believe what we are to understand from our reading today is that this kind of prayer might look small, but in heaven, as some has said, “it resounds with the echoes of divine intercession.” Our sighs are not ignored, they are carried by the Spirit Himself.

Prayer, then, is not a solo act, it is a participation in the loving dialogue with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

If you feel uncertain in prayer, unsure what to say or how to say it, take heart. You’re not disqualified. In reality, you may be closer to the heart of true prayer than you realize.

Prayer is not intended to address any reluctance on the part of God. As Martin Luther once said, “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.” In other words, God isn’t holding back. Rather, our God is leaning in. When we show up, even in silence, we are met by grace.

Let's Pray

God, thank You for helping me pray when I don’t have the words, through the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank You that I don’t have to figure it all out before I come to You. Teach me to rest in Your presence and trust that Your Spirit is my intercessor. When all I have are tears, whispers, or silence, remind me that You are near, Holy Spirit, carrying every groan to the Father’s heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.