Words

Some situations are terrible. There are no other words, and even the word “terrible” seems to fail in conveying the intensity of the moment. Darkness has swelled to the point where it has blocked out the sky and all the sunlight, leaving you alone with nothing but grief and hurt. Food, friends, and even words of faith have no appeal because you worst fear has become your present darkness.

As a pastor, I have no idea what to say to people in these situations. Living in that moment is a nightmare, and there seem to be no words that can I share to encourage the person in it. I empathize with their anger and grief because to me it seems justified.

Recently, I found myself informed of such a situation. The family involved was not a part of the church where I pastor, and a friend had shared the need with me so I could be praying for them. And lately, I have tried to make it a practice to not simply say, “I will be praying,” but to then type out a prayer encouraging the messenger to share it with those in need. But for this need, the tragedy was so intense all I could find myself to muster was “words.” I then shared as much with the messenger and excused myself from responding.

I had washed my hands of the matter and went to continue about my day. But God was not happy with me and decided that the rest of my day could wait. So, with that I circled the wagons back around, and I took to my keyboard trusting the Holy Spirit would grant the “words” I was reluctant to even try to find. Most likely, I will never know the impact of that prayer, but that was not the point.

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. (NET)

Paul writes, in simple words, “It is okay for your prayer to be ‘words.’” Even if you have no words, “ugh,” “sigh,” and “growl” are all prayers. The Holy Spirit can interrupt those wordless prayers into the deepest cries of our heart. And God hears them, taking those inexpressible burdens into His loving hands. Even if our tone is not the most loving and gentle in voicing them, God values the sincerity of our prayers.

What is not okay is to not pray them. Remember, God did not create humanity with the intent for us to experience death, sin, and the emotional responses to them. All those emotions came in response to sin and death. If God never meant for us to experience them, what makes us believe it is healthy to hold onto them? It is a lie of the enemy that God will refuse these prayers, the devil’s attempt to keep us from approaching the One who can bring healing. The more we hold onto the darkness, the more it spreads like a toxin through us, robbing us of the peace, joy, and faith in God and His power available to us.

Cry out to God! When I write “cry out,” I am not saying use the holy and churchy prayers full of flowery words, pomp, and circumstance. Share your petitions to God in all the emotional rawness that you are feeling, not trying to coverup the realness of the moment. It is only in honest confession that you and I can truly find His strength to help us let go of the snares that have entangled us. God knows your name, and He knows your heart. And God loves us, even knowing all the anger and hurt we hold against Him. Beyond that, His love will dismantle them as we experience His healing touch.

written by Jason Barnett. Jason is the pastor at Greensburg Church of the Nazarene, in Greensburg, KY. You can LISTEN to his sermons via The Dirt Path Sermon Podcast. FOLLOW him on twitter and The Dirt Path Facebook page.