For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26

Heavenly Father, 

Today we come to you 

on behalf of all of the people 

who have “unspoken prayer requests.” 

In our church prayer chains, 

we have no qualms about asking for prayer 

for our ailing aunt or our ongoing job search, 

but we are far more reticent 

to ask for prayer 

for our husband’s struggle with addiction, 

our daughter’s struggle with same-sex attraction, 

or our own struggle with depression. 

What’s worse, 

we don’t even know

how to pray for ourselves. 

So today, we lift up everyone 

who has a prayer request they fear to name. 

May we/they remember 

“your Father knows what you need 

even before you ask him” (Matthew 6:9). 

You are listening, you are looking, 

and when you see misery, you act (Exodus 2:23-24).

May we/they remember that your Holy Spirit 

is actively groaning with and for us (Romans 8:26). 

When we can’t put our prayer requests into words, 

the Holy Spirit joins in our groans, 

and you hear and understand. 

May we/they remember that your Son, 

our great High Priest, 

is praying for us, 

and “Therefore, he is able, 

once and forever, 

to save those who come to God through him. 

He lives forever to intercede with God 

on their behalf” (Hebrews 7:25). 

Finally, may we/they 

take heart that the church cares for us 

and bears our burdens with us, 

even the unspoken ones. 

In Jesus’ comforting name. Amen. 

Read Matthew 6:5-8; Romans 8:25-34; Hebrews 7:25; James 5:12.