Scripture
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:26-28

Observation
There are bold moments in prayer where we courageously march into the throne room and state our case and God works in power. But there are groping moments in prayer when we fumble around looking for what it is we should be asking for. Sure we can pray, but what should we pray for?

“What should I pray for?” is the question of the mature believer. He has discovered that prayer is not about telling God what to do, but listening enough to ask what the Father wants. But how can we know?

There comes a level in prayer where we have to have more confidence in what Christ is praying for us than in what we are praying for ourselves. We must put more stock in wordless prayers than in our own words. At this extremity of prayer the gift of tongues is so useful. For here the Holy Spirit prays through us, though our mind does not grasp the meaning.

Application
The goal of prayer is to let the Spirit of God pray through me, whether in my words or in a prayer language. Right now I’m praying about our next home. So many questions. I want to enter into this level of groaning prayers.

Prayer
Father, lead us home. Amen.

Scripture
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…. Romans 5:1

Observation
Having a relationship problem is bad, but what is worse is to have someone out of sorts with us but to never know that they are offended. We are blase to their hurt. It pushes us apart, but we don’t know what is wrong.

This is exactly what is between God and us. Without Jesus, no one realizes that God is offended. None have a clue of how deep that damage is. The proof of the pain between us and God comes by the price tag of the clean up of the mess. The repair bill to restore our relationship with God was astronomical. The Father giving his precious Son was more costly than even the Exxon-Valdeze clean up bill.

But the expensive repair of our relationship with God through the death of his only Son shows us another thing. God loves us more than all of the hurt between us. In fact, he wants our thoughts to focus on the enormity of his love for us.

The greatest gift that God can give to us is the gift of peace. The sense that relationship is restored and that we are right with God is enormous reassurance. Just as when a human relationship is fixed up, we can sit with a person and say nothing yet feel everything that is good inside of our hearts. The greatest thing that God has to give to us is the gift of peace. The awkwardness is gone. God accepts us.

Application
I’m not supposed to get used to the peace that God has given to me through Jesus Christ. I’m supposed to live in amazement that I’m forgiven. My tenendency is to get used to the peace of God. I do want to move onto what  think must be “higher things”. But there is nothing greater than this. The rift ifs healed. God is at peace with me. This is to keep me amazed forever. I’m always making my Jesus walk more complicated and moving away from simplicity. I must come back to this simple centre: I am at peace with God.

Prayer
Father, I choose to dumb down my faith and to live in the centre of peace. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to John Waller “Still Calls Me Son” while reading about your life purpose.

Scripture
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…. Romans 1:1

Observation
If a letter should have a return mailing address, what should a human life have? There should be some kind of indication of who we are, where we are from and where we are going. The sentence should be short enough for a mailman to read at a glance. That one phrase should sum up our life.

When he wrote letters, Paul didn’t put a return address at the top, he put a simple statement about himself.

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…. Romans 1:1

That crisp set of words put his life mission in focus.

His core identity was as a slave in chains to the Messiah Jesus.
He had a calling to be a spiritual entrepreneur to launch new congregations.
He was reserved for a special work of whatever it took to tell the good news message.

We need that sentence, because when we end up at the wrong address, we know where to go back to. Life tends to take us away from living, because we lose touch with our purpose in the confusion of existence. As my mentor often said, we need to reinvent ourselves backwards, by remembering our original purpose and returning to it. Sometimes, when lost, it is best not to look for where we are going, but to return to where we began to begin afresh to find our way home. If we know our return address of life purpose, we can always retrace our life purpose to the start.

Application
That was a simple sentence to wake up to every morning and to give clarity to the day. Too often my sentence becomes fuzzy. I lose track of my core identity. I hear other voices and lose the call. I forget the special work. I need to refine my sentence, my core, my call, my commission.

Prayer
Father, today, sharpen my pencil and clarify the words that give me direction. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to “Still” from Hillsong Church while reading today’s devotion.

Scripture
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Observation
When a long road gets longer we don’t easily ask for help. We are more likely to plod forward on our own and rely on our own capacities. But we are encouraged to take another way. Call for the comforting presence of the Lord.

The word for “comfort” is a choice one. It means to “call along side”. As we call, the Holy Spirit slips into the empty seat beside us and takes the journey with us. He speaks words of hope that we cannot conjure up on our own. He speaks from words of hope that know no beginning and no end.

Application
This means that the smallest comfort we feel is a sign that Jesus Christ himself and God our Father are personally concerned about us. Too often we take road conditions as an indication of God’s heart toward us. If the way is tough we assume we are out of his favour. If the way is easy we think he loves us. But we are not to look at the road but rather to the sources of comfort. These are the indicators of our need ever kept in God’s view.

Prayer
Father, today I call out for your come alongside comfort. Worldly comforts call me to drop the journey, but your comfort compels me forward on the journey. I receive your comfort today so that I can exert your power today. The best of all is that you are with us. Amen.