Praying When You Don’t Know How

The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper

Ok, so we are working on abiding in God’s word this week to aid our exhausted momma bodies. I hope you are finding rest and joy as you seek God throughout your day. We can be encouraged that there is yet another amazing gift that He gives to us for help when we are beyond tired: the Holy Spirit.

Today’s scripture is another long one, so grab your Bible and read Acts 2:1-41.

This story is of the first time the Holy Spirit descended on us after Jesus’ resurrection is a powerful one. It’s one of those times when I wish I could go back and be a fly on the wall. But, we can feel that same exact power in the Holy Spirit today! The Spirit wasn’t more powerful then because it was the day of Pentecost. The Spirit is no less powerful and no less a helper to us than he was to Peter and everyone else in attendance that day.

Romans 8:26-27

“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. 27 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.”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed to pray, but had no idea where to start or what to say. My mind has been so overwhelmed and my thoughts so scattered that the inside of my own head didn’t even make sense to me. At night, I would just lay in bed staring up at the ceiling trying to come up with something to say to God. Anything. Nights like this usually follow a day filled with frustrating behavior from my child paired with requests from my husband, friends or family who had bad timing, and a not-handling-it-well attitude from me. Plus, accumulating sleep deprivation. Not only do I not know what or how to pray after an exhausting day, I indulge my incredible sweet tooth more than I should. I just feel…defeated, and like a bad mom, wife, sister, friend all wrapped into one because my sin took advantage of my emotions, leaving hurt feelings and trampled relationships. It’s ugly. It’s real life. It’s why Jesus came to die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sin, to resurrect so we can have salvation from our sin. And then he sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper as we discipline ourselves to be like Jesus.

Romans 8:2-6

“2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

When we are exhausted, it’s important to continue living according to the Spirit and not our sinful nature. Easier said than done, for sure. We don’t want to snap at our husbands who simply said hello the wrong way. We don’t want to be on our kids’ case all day because we are at the end of our patience quota. Our sin nature is so strong that if we aren’t continually looking to the Holy Spirit for help, it can suck us in and make us forget that we have been set free from the law of sin because Jesus was powerful enough to overcome all sin.

We can’t do it. He can.

So the next time you are so exhausted and at your wits end, exercise your freedom in the Spirit. Try to quiet your mind and just sit before your God. The Holy Spirit will make sure that your thoughts are sorted and communicated to God before you even think them. Take a deep breath and relax knowing he is always with you to give you strength.

This is part of a series called The “I’m Exhausted” devotional. Click here to read more of the series. Messy Tired Love devotionals connect everyday mom moments to the truth of the gospel. Learn more here.