Can Worry Be Prayer? by Wendy Van Eyck

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. Romans 8:26 (MSG)

I had a hard time reaching God this morning.

There was just so much noise around.

Not the type of noise you can just switch off though, the kind of noise that runs like a schoolyard of screaming children from left ear to right ear.

And the worst part is it's all in your head.

The noise I couldn't mute was the sound of to-do lists and worries and half-written articles.

Through all the noise in my head I was trying to talk to God but he seemed too far away or maybe I was just too far away.

I tried closing my eyes and praying.

I attempted journaling.

I whispered prayers.

I tried opening my eyes and reading prayers.

I played with my hair like prayer beads.

I sat still.

I tried to focus on God.

I said "Jesus" over and over.

I gave up.

I told God I couldn't pray this morning.

And I wondered how to make the noise in my head the prayer that comes out my mouth.

I hoped that God accepted the millions of thoughts falling through my head as prayers.

I'm sure he did, because if the God’s Spirit understands our wordless sighs and our aching groans, I’m pretty sure the worry in my head can be a prayer.

And that God can reach me even when I can’t hear him right beside me, helping me through every worry.

Are you worried that you can’t pray? Relax and let your worries be your prayer to God.

Wendy van Eyck posts weekly devotionals at ilovedevotionals.com. You can also follow her on twitter or like her page on Facebook.