Finding Comfort through Prayer

Posted by georgescraftjr @georgescraftjr, Feb 6 9:56am

For those of you who are Christians, I hope you find comfort from this excerpt from a devotional for today by Vivian Bricker:

"Finding Comfort in the Holy Spirit
Bible Reading:
“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).

When I first became a Christian, I had trouble finding peace due to the grief I was experiencing. Living in the aftermath of the death of a loved one changed me, and I began to struggle with anger. Instead of conducting myself with kindness, love, and grace, I often lashed out or said something I would later regret. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take comfort in knowing you are not alone.

This does not mean we are not believers. Rather, it simply means we will face more challenges in growing in our faith. At these times, we need to find comfort in the Holy Spirit.
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Intersecting Faith & Life:

The Apostle Paul tells us, “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). Allow these words to bring your heart comfort today.

Through this passage, we see that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Whether we are struggling with our Christian walk, anger, or grief, we can rely on the Holy Spirit. Moreover, when we are too tired to pray or don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

We might not know what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit does. During times of intense emotional turmoil or overwhelming pain, it can be hard to pray. The Holy Spirit will intercede for us at these times and bring comfort to our hearts. Instead of doubting Him, we can find great comfort and peace in His presence. The Holy Spirit will bring joy, hope, and renewed strength back into our hearts.

Dear Father, I praise You for always being with me. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. Please give my heart and soul comfort today. Sometimes I don’t know what to pray for, or I’m too weak to pray. Please help the Holy Spirit to intercede for me and bring my concerns to You. Thank You, Father, Amen."

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Loss & Grief Support Group.

joankiser | @joankiser | Feb 6 11:03am

TY for sharing---struggling with anticipatory grief right now......heartbroken about what is happening ...mourning what is to come.....love an fear....hope and dread

gloaming | @gloaming | Feb 6 11:50am

'Take time to be holy, speak oft to thy lord,
abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

2 Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

3 Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide,
and run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.

4 Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

This is one of the hymns I sing to myself in my hot tub at midnight, hopefully under a starry sky. There are others, such as, 'O love that will not let me go..' a most beautiful hymn.

The measure of success in living must surely be that at least one person weeps at one's grave. If you grieve, if you weep, you are sending a successful soul onward. Who could ask more of you?

georgescraftjr | @georgescraftjr | Feb 6 12:49pm

Thanks for sharing this lovely hymn.

P.S. Where do you live--that you are able to see stars?

gloaming | @gloaming | Feb 6 11:46pm

In reply to @georgescraftjr "Thanks for sharing this lovely hymn. P.S. Where do you live--that you are able to see..." + (show)

@georgescraftjr I live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is not densely populated, but a large mountain spine runs up and down the middle of the Island which makes for some nice dark sites at altitude. Even so, my back yard, in the middle of my town, is not so 'light polluted' that I can't see the constellations easily, and even some of the brighter faint 'n fuzzies like the Andromeda Galaxy (it's near the giant square of Pegasus, which is near the horizon and won't be visible until later in the spring, May or so). And, of course, in the PNW this time of year, it's a rare night that is clear. We get 100 inches of rain between November and March seasonally, with lots of cloud and wind.

georgescraftjr | @georgescraftjr | Feb 7 12:59pm

In reply to @gloaming "@georgescraftjr I live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is not densely populated, but a..." + (show)

@gloaming

Thanks for the vivid description of where you live. Are you are writer?

P.S. I played various versions of "Take Time to be Holy," and now I can't get the tune out of my head! I hum it to myself whenever I'm helping my husband bathe, get dressed, etc.

gloaming | @gloaming | Feb 7 1:39pm

In reply to @georgescraftjr "@gloaming Thanks for the vivid description of where you live. Are you are writer? P.S. I..." + (show)

@georgescraftjr I do write, or have written....a lot...but professionally as a psychologist. I retired 21 years ago, and now just while away the hours on line or listening to podcasts (I do have other pastimes, plus a yard and garden to look after).

This is another beautiful hymn, or I think so: