Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8.26

Life Together
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)
“A psalm that we cannot utter as a prayer, that makes us falter and horrifies us, is a hint that there is Someone else praying, not we; that the One who is here protesting his innocence, who is invoking God’s judgment, who has come to such infinite depths of suffering, is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. He it is who is praying here, and not only here but in the whole Psalter.”

We’ve all been in prayer meetings when one person’s prayers were so strong, so filled with spiritual insight and emotion, and so expressive of the sentiments of all, that murmurs of “Yes, Lord!” and “Amen!” ripple around the room. We couldn’t have come to those words, but they touch us where we need to be praying. We feel our prayer longings met and satisfied by joining in those prayers of others, and are lifted and strengthened as we pray with them. This is what it’s like praying the psalms, especially those that don’t quite seem to fit where we are. The Lord is praying with us, interceding for us and teaching us how to pray. These are His words, His guidelines, His agenda, and His focus. Enter into the Lord and know the Lord praying in and through you as you take the psalms for your scripts in coming before the Lord.

Have you started praying Psalm 8? Try using this psalm as an outline for the day ahead – for praise, for attentiveness to God’s glory, for humility before the Lord, for help in the work you’ve been given to do. Let your words develop from the Lord’s as you pray Psalm 8 today.

On Forgiveness
Forgiveness plays an important role in Christian community life. But what is forgiveness? Why is it so important? How can we practice forgiveness more consistently? Dr. Stan Gale addresses these and many other questions in his book, Forgiveness: Discovering the Healing Power of the Gospel. Listen to our Conversation with Stan by clicking here.

Praying the Psalms
For more instruction in how to use the psalms in prayer – and why you should – order a copy of our book, God’s Prayer Program (click here). Here you will learn information and guidelines to help you make praying the psalms a regular part of your prayer life.

Our heavenly Father supports The Fellowship of Ailbe through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.