"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

As a believer, you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems. Even when you don't know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with you, and God answers. With God helping you pray, you don't need to be afraid to come before Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you when you need help.

If you have the pleasure (yeah, right) of knowing me since I have been saved, you know that I am not shy...I am not timid...I am not quiet...I bubble up and out all over everyone and into every situation. I like to think of myself as "effervescent". I used to be shy (painfully so). I used to be timid (I never left my comfort zone). I used to be quiet ("Hahahaha, seriously....You?...Quiet?" you say in total disbelief). Yes, I used to be quiet!

"What changed?" you ask...I did! When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, a lot of things changed. Many of these changes were instantaneous, but some of the changes took time and discipline.

I had never prayed out loud before. (Many of you still don't like to pray out loud, I do genuinely understand). I started feeling the prompting to pray, each morning as I sat by myself at the kitchen table reading the bible. I didn't really know why I was praying out loud. It seemed foolish, I mean, no one was there to hear me right? Wrong. Not only was God listening, but I soon found out that I was listening too. It was strange, the more I heard myself doing it, the easier it seemed to be...

There was something powerful about speaking out my prayers. After all, the bible says that we are created in God's image, and God spoke this world into being. "And God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light." - Genesis 1:3

We too have voices which can release power...we can speak God's Word which has power..."So is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55:11

God gave us the ability to speak out loud, and He wants us to use it. Our voices can carry the truth of the gospel...Our voices can declare the victory of Jesus Christ in any situation...Our voices can encourage...Our voices can exult...Our voices can praise...

God instructed me to start using my voice and over time, I became quite comfortable praying out loud...I sat and spoke with my Father about everything...good things, bad things, victories, struggles...He sat with me and listened intently as my heart poured open and streams flowed from places deep within me. I shared things that I didn't even know that I felt before opening my mouth. My voice, it seemed was an instrument for healing.

Over time I realized that the Holy Spirit prompted and assisted me when I just didn't know what to pray. I began to trust His promptings and to feel secure when I wasn't always certain even what I had said. I began to yield my spirit in such a way that the Holy Spirit was using my voice to speak...I began to be useful in prayer.

Now, when you do feel comfortable praying out loud, you will quickly notice, that all of the people who don't are suddenly clinging to your side at events where praying out loud might be necessary...Lol...I can sympathize, because I do remember feeling that way, until one day, when I just didn't anymore. God had changed me mightily and quietly through the repetition of daily discipline.

He had transformed me, a little at a time, in increments...without my even noticing...I went from timid to bold, from uncertain to confident, from quiet, to, well, let's be honest, LOUD. But, as I often quip,"I use my loudness for good instead of evil" I am loud for the Lord...confident in the Holy Spirit's ability to fill in  gaps where I don't know exactly what to say. God Himself is not only able, but most willing to help anyone who doesn't know what to pray. All you have to do is ask Him, and be willing to practice regularly, until someday, just like me, you will realize that you are not only able, but willing!

God works in mysterious ways...we rarely have any idea what He is doing until after He has done it. I know now that I am a new creation, "the old is gone...the new is here!" (2 Cor 5:17)

I have been made new with a purpose...God has given me a boldness, and He must want me to use it for His work in His kingdom. And so, I am content to pray loudly in all situations, and as a mentor, I do try to encourage those that I disciple to start as I did..by sitting alone with God and praying out loud, speaking with Him daily, until, before they know it...they are ready, willing, and able also!


So, go...get praying...find a place where you feel secure and open up your mouth and let your prayers rise up to the throne room, where your heavenly Father is waiting expectantly to hear them.