In Our Weakness

Daylight savings time: A day that many parent’s dread due to losing that precious hour of sleep. This year it hit us even harder since we had a sick kid who was up in the middle of the night making us all lose even more valuable sleep time.

​So as I am sure you can imagine, our two kids hit a wall around 5:30 that evening. Neither of them wanted to eat, or do anything really other than whine. My husband and I used every trick in the book to get them to just eat, knowing that this would help turn their moods around at least a little bit. 

Our kids don’t always know what they need or how to express it, but as their parents we have come to understand when they need sleep or food. I have learned to discern when my daughter is whining because she is tired or hungry or bored. Even when she doesn’t use those words to describe how she feels.

​If I have come to understand what my children need before they even know it, how much more so is that true in my relationship with God? 

Paul tells us in Romans 8:15 that living as a child of God means we have an intimate, joyful relationship with God. A child of God can have a relationship with God so close that they may cry out, “Abba, Father” (Daddy!). As our father, God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need before we even know how to ask for it. The Holy Spirit’s help in intercession is perfect because He searches the hearts of those whom He helps, and He is able to guide our prayers according to the will of God. When we are weak, and do not know exactly how we should pray, God Himself (through the Holy Spirit) helps by interceding for us. 

There are times when I am sure I act like a whiny tired two year old before God. Just today, I was in literal tears during my prayer time, telling God I didn’t know what I needed but that I knew He did. I take comfort in knowing that the Spirit helps me in my weakness. That even when I don’t know exactly what I need or how to get it, I can go to God in prayer confident that He knows my every need. 

Friend, if you are struggling with how to pray today, don’t be afraid to sit in silence with God. He knows what you need, whether you know how to say it or not. Find a way to draw closer to Him today and just sit in His presence. You can trust that He will meet you and align your spirit with His truth. Rest in the comfort of knowing that He understands you better than you even understand yourself.

“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. 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 (NIV)

About the Author

Hi, I’m Jessica Parker! I’m married to my incredible husband, Phil, and together we have two beautiful kids. My husband is an Army veteran so we have moved around a bit but now live in beautiful North Georgia. I enjoy reading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I can testify to how life changing walking with Jesus and being in His word daily can be. Therefore I am passionate about helping women find a life giving community and learn more about God's love for them.