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. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:26-28

Dear God, my wife and I were talking about one of our children and how things keep going a different direction than we hope. My comment to her was, “Well, we are praying for her so I’m going to assume this is the path God has and things are happening the way they are supposed to happen.”

There have been times in my life where I’ve had no idea what to pray and I’ve been down to groans and just letting the Holy Spirit pray for me and put my hope in the idea that you understand. And I think you always do. Well, I know you always do.

Father, the more experience I get with you the more I am willing to absorb bad times and look beyond my current circumstances to see that there could still be a good outcome down the line—maybe not for me, but for your overall plan. So please help me to remain at peace in all situations and to pass on what I have learned from experience. Help me to also accept what others with a message from you have to teach me. Whether it is a wise friend or any other source, help me to always hear your voice when you are speaking.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen