Listen to My Heart

People who know me are always surprised when I am at a loss for words. I can usually come up with something witty or wise, however, there are times when I simply have no words. Much like a toddler who struggles to use his limited vocabulary to communicate, I often can’t find the right words to tell God what is on my mind and in my heart.

Sometimes sadness and bone-breaking grief steal my words. Tears fall and my lips move but I simply have no words to pray. On my knees I persist in reaching out to God and struggle to trust Him with pain I can’t even verbalize. I am comforted when I remember the Holy Spirit prays for us with such deep feeling and understanding that it cannot be expressed in words. The Spirit prays “according to the will of God.”

When I am anxious or lonely, Jesus intercedes for me with the Father. He knows me better than anyone and is fully aware of what my heart is saying. Because Jesus died for me on the cross and rose from the grave, He is my advocate before the Father.

When words are inadequate to express my love to God, He listens to the love and worship nearly bursting in my heart for my Savior. How can I ever adequately praise Him enough for His sacrifice and unconditional love? I trust the Holy Spirit to convey my love and worship to the Father in the name of Jesus.

²⁶ And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. ²⁷ And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will. – Romans 8:26-27 (TLB)

When I have no words I speak the name of Jesus for there is power in HIs Name!

I find the Psalms a great way to pray scripture when I don’t have words of my own. Below are several verses that speak deeply to my heart and soul.

• Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! – Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
• Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. – Psalm 25:4 (ESV)
• Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
• “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!” – Psalm 56:8-9 (NLT)
• The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don’t abandon me—for you made me. – Psalm 138:8 (TLB)
• Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! – Psalm 43:5 (NLT)
• You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. – Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

Dear God, I love you and I trust you to listen to my heart when words are not enough. Amen.