My life with Jesus has been a journey: exciting and adventurous, but also filled with obstacles and challenges. Prayer has helped me stay close to God through it all, even when I wasn't sure if God was hearing me. I have learned through each challenge that God always hears me and knows what is on my heart--more than I ever could.

Challenging circumstances often drive me to my knees. There, I find assurance that I am safe in God’s hands, no matter what. Then I start to ask for guidance. He is always faithful to give me wisdom and point me in a direction that glorifies Him and honors Jesus.

But sometimes I am speechless, not knowing how to pray or what to say.

Have you ever felt so heavy and burdened that words just wouldn’t come? Or have you ever found yourself helpless, discouraged, or even angry at God? If you have, it’s okay. King David, the writer of most of our Psalms in the Bible, was not afraid to express these feelings, saying things such as, "Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?"(Psalms 44)

Regardless of how we feel, the truth is plainly stated for 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 with groans that words cannot express."(Romans 8:26). Isn't that amazing? He cares for you so much that even if you don't know what to say, or when you're too sad or upset to explain exactly how you're feeling, the Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf with things that you couldn’t express even if you tried.

God doesn't intend for you to do anything on your own, even prayer. Isn't that amazing? He cares for you so much that even if you don't know what to say to God, or when you're too sad or distraught to even be able to figure out on your own exactly how we're feeling, the Holy Spirit intercedes for you on your behalf with things that would not ever be possible to express if you tried. God doesn't intend for you to do anything on your own, even prayer.

Now I know that God hears my heart and knows me better than I know myself. This has completely changed my perspective on prayer. Instead of letting confusion or pain drive me away from God, I now feel closer to God because of the truth found in Romans 8:26. I rest in the knowledge that any suffering I endure on this earth is nothing compared to what my Savior, Jesus, endured when he died on the cross for my sins, and that He always has my best in mind. 2 Timothy says that if we die, we live with him; and if we endure, we will also reign with him. That is surely good news!!

The next time you have trouble knowing what to pray, ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you. God says that He will, and you don't have to do anything special for that to happen. Just trust Jesus. God cares about you and He loves you more than you could ever begin to imagine.