Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. – Romans 8:26
Altar services are an integral part of each of our church meetings. After the minister concludes the preaching of God’s Word, we are invited to apply what we have heard by praying at benches, which are located at the front of the sanctuary between the platform and the audience seats.
One time, I was praying next to a person who was seeking God fervently. I wanted to be an encouragement by praying with her, but I felt that I did not know how to pray for her effectively. As I told this to the Lord and asked Him to help me, He reminded me of a time when the disciples did not feel like they knew how to pray, and they asked Jesus to teach them. Jesus responded by giving them the Lord’s Prayer. So I thought that would be a good place for me to start as well. As I said the Lord’s Prayer and got to the part where it says, “Give us this day our daily bread,” it occurred to me that God had already provided for the spiritual hunger and need of the person I was praying with. That gave me great courage! As we continued praying, God’s Spirit came down and blessed that person, and we had a wonderful prayer service.
Sometimes, the things that we view as difficult or out of our comfort zones can be easily helped by the Spirit of God, who “helpeth our infirmities.” It’s great to know that we have Someone at our side who can help us to such an extent. The question is: Are we willing for Him to prod us out of our comfort zones and then ask Him to make us effective?