When We Don't Know How to Pray--April 4, 2019

[From March 22, 2007 archive]

God, you are enthroned forever; your name endures.

When our days are like an evening shadow,

when like grass we wither away,

then draw us to Jesus.

In your Spirit,

help us in our weakness,

for we know not how to pray.

Intercede with sighs too deep for words,

for you are enthroned forever; your name endures.

But we must not wait till the evening shadow comes

before we ask you to draw us near to Jesus,

and for the Spirit’s help in weakness.

As we live our lives each day

teach us how to pray.

Teach us to work for justice—

that the laborer may receive fair wages,

that the weak be protected from oppression,

that our house be built in righteousness; for you endure.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 27; 147:12-20; 126; 102

Jer. 22:13-23

Rom. 8:12-27

John 6:41-51

Selected Verses

Ps. 102:11-12

My days are like an evening shadow;

            I wither away like grass.

But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;

            your name endures to all generations.

Jer. 22:13

Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness,

            and his upper rooms by injustice;

who makes his neighbors work for nothing,

            and does not give them their wages

Rom. 8:26

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

John 6:44

"…No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day.  …"  [Jesus, to those complaining about him]