Week Eight - Lines Please!

" And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:4

"Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
Romans 8:26

" Teach me to pray. Pray thyself in me." Francois de la Mothe Fenelon (1651-1715)

     Sometimes when an actor is in rehearsal, he may totally blank out on his character's line. There is a person set up to help with that. The actor can call "Line, please", and the script person will give the next line. Not that I've ever had to, but I've heard. (cough, cough)
     
     Sometimes, we try to avoid prayer, simply because we don't know what to say. It can make for a pretty easy excuse, except that it assumes prayer is only one sided. Sometimes it is because we can't think of what to say, sometimes it is because our desire or hurt is so deep that mere words fail us. Sometimes the pain is as deep as the soul, and the only expression that fits is sounds of despair. I don't know anyone that hasn't at least once felt that inner turmoil.

     Enter the third person of the Trinity, His Royal Highness, the Holy Spirit. He knows our problems and needs even before we do. (Isaiah 65:24) His Spirit dwells within us. (Ephesians 3:16) His Spirit intercedes for us. (Romans 8:26) But this requires trust. A trust that God does know our problems. A trust that God does care. And a willingness to go to Him without preparation, or fine words, or anything at all except our whole selves; body, mind, soul, spirit. Anything less is holding back from Him the knowledge He already has, because He sees from the inside.

     God is looking for an open heart. He will even provide the words, when we have none. As the Psalmist said "A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalms 51:17)

The Psalm this week is Psalm 42. At first glance, it seems to be a psalm of longing, thirst, even despair, but in actuality, it is a psalm of hope. Pour yourself out to the Lord, and let His healing waters refresh you.