I found myself praying this week for a friend who is in a situation I’ve never even thought about being in. My heart was in pieces for him and I had no idea what to even begin asking God to do. Under my breath I said, “Lord Jesus, intervene. Intercede as you promised. Father, I ask that you would … umm … that you would … well, I don’t really know what to ask.”
In that moment of what felt like being at a loss, a familiar wave of peace and warmth began to wash over me.
I did one of those half-laughs, half-sighs-of-relief, and went on. I said out loud, “Thank you Lord that it’s not my job to know. You know my friend’s needs before he even knew he needed them. What a mercy.”
And truly, what a mercy it is – to be so known by God that even if someone else praying for me is at a loss for the words to utter in the direction of heaven – He fills in the gaps. He knows. He cares so much for me, for you, that even right now, He is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. Individually, taking our needs to the only One who can meet them.
Maybe you’re a stay-at-home mama who feels like she’s dangling, holding on for dear life to your last thread. Maybe you’re feeling suffocated and defeated by your work situation, desperately awaiting an open door, and finding yourself discouraged in the hallway once again. Maybe you’re questioning the way God made you – your facial features, your weight, or maybe something heavier – your gender, your sexuality. Maybe it’s been dark. Taking your thoughts captive feels more like calf-roping a three-headed beast, and every day more and more reeks of a win for the other guys.
Friend, I’ve been there. I’ve been there when the darkness came like thick smoke and would not let up. I’ve been the one with the white knuckles clutching my last strand of sanity. I’ve been there as waves of grief seemed to swallow me whole and vacuum the last bit of air from my lungs.
There are so many rabbit holes we could go down about prayer or thorns in our sides. What God allows; what He gives and what He takes. But today I’m just here to say, hallelujah. Hallelujah, we do not have to approach the throne with a pitch or a PowerPoint or perfection. Like any good daddy, He just delights in hearing the voice of His children.
Rest today in knowing that the Advocate is going before you and fighting battles you haven’t even been briefed on yet. He’s coming behind, hemming you in with peace and protection and provision. That situation you don’t know where or how to begin praying over? Present it to Him, thank Him for His goodness, surrender it and consider it handled.
Lay down your where, your what, your when, and how, and trust that the One who started it will finish it.
Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
You understand my thoughts from far away.
You observe my travels and my rest;
You are aware of all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.
You have encircled me;
You have placed Your hand on me.
This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.
Where can I go to escape Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to heaven, You are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
If I live at the eastern horizon
or settle at the western limits,
even there Your hand will lead me;
Your right hand will hold on to me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me,
and the light around me will be night”—
even the darkness is not dark to You.
The night shines like the day;
darkness and light are alike to You.
For it was You who created my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well.
My bones were not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in Your book and planned
before a single one of them began.
God, how difficult Your thoughts are
for me to comprehend;
how vast their sum is!
If I counted them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand;
when I wake up, I am still with You.
God, if only You would kill the wicked—
you bloodthirsty men, stay away from me—
who invoke You deceitfully.
Your enemies swear by You falsely.
Lord, don’t I hate those who hate You,
and detest those who rebel against You?
I hate them with extreme hatred;
I consider them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalm 139
