The precise word that unleashes the blessing

How many of us have it happened that in a moment of prayer we have formulated a request with such unexpected words from our mouth that they left us surprised? However, we darkly understood that those strange and unusual words were precisely the ones that were required for our prayer to hit the mark and unleash the response we were needing.

Perhaps this is the best way to explain the mysterious words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:26 concerning the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit on our behalf: And in the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for what we should ask as appropriate, we do not know, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspeakable groans.

In other words, sometimes we don't know for sure what to ask for, or how to ask for it. Our mind does not know how to properly formulate our petition before the Heavenly Court. The expert guidance of the Holy Spirit is required to help us use the specific language of heaven, to provide us with the specific word on which we can "stand" when we present our petition before God.

Like a good lawyer, the Spirit commands us to be silent as he substitutes himself for us and presents our petition to the heavenly Judge "according to the will of God." In other words, using the language that God needs to hear, and harmonizing our requests with God's will.

Some time ago, when we began the effort to build a new sanctuary for our congregation, I was involved in an arduous process of negotiation with various influential community groups and organizations to determine whether or not the city would grant us the necessary construction permits. At times, there was resistance, questioning of our motivations, and even outright hostility from individuals who did not want to see a Christian church expand in the neighborhood where we are located.

Our community is highly politicized, and extremely liberal, very contrary to everything our church stands for morally and theologically. There were tense and unpleasant meetings. The future of our project was in jeopardy. During that process, God gave me Psalm 144 and on that page of my bible I wrote a note that says: "Psalm of my battle for the construction of the new temple." Among other things, that psalm states:

1 Blessed be the Lord my rock,

Who trains my hands for battle,

And my fingers for war;

2 My mercy and my castle,

My strength and my deliverer,

My shield, in whom I have trusted;

The one who holds my people under me.

The Holy Spirit was leading me to frame my effort in terms of spiritual warfare, take a battle stance, and declare the Lord's strength and empowerment over my life (vv. 1 and 2).

That psalm goes on to declare that men and social and governmental agencies are under the dominion of God (vv. 3 and 4). He further invites the Lord to take control and assert his dominion over human affairs (vv. 5-8). He continues to use praise as a way to affirm God's protection over his servant as he goes into battle (vv. 9-11). Finally, it culminates with a prophetic declaration of the Shalom and the prosperity of God descending upon the people of God, who dwell safely and trustingly under the generous gaze of their Almighty Father (vv. 12-15).

These words gave me strength and confidence during this difficult time. Actually, I was fighting an uphill and exhausting battle! I felt like God was saying to me, “Own that statement and go to the market with it. Go with her to the fight ”. I made the content of that psalm my own, and made it the motto of my battle.

Obviously, that text captured every aspect of my drama at the time. It was a beautiful image of my spiritual journey, with powerful elements that I could use to flesh out my prayers and gain encouragement and hope in moments of struggle and noise.

God finally gave me the victory, and every time I come across that psalm in my bible, and the note I wrote on that page, I rejoice and thank God for his guidance, his love, and his faithfulness to me.