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 through wordless groans.

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

No, this post is not really about the TV show where those judges in chairs turn around after hearing  a blind audition. Will the singer look like his or her voice? The hook of this show is the idea that just on an individual’s voice they will judged. A baker, a mechanic, and nursing student compete. Some have families and are even middle aged. The voice of each contestant has the opportunity to win the prize of fame.

The voice of the shepherd calls his sheep to safety. Training ourselves to listen to the right voice is a life skill. A child will run to the voice of her mother. But, what we do not realize is that we have a voice. A mother knows the cry of her baby anywhere. When our voice cries, there is someone’s ear who is already tuned for us, like a mother to her baby. 

Even more than the Shepherd’s voice calling us is the idea that there is a spiritual language being prayed from within us by the Holy Spirit. This voice cries out to God to help our us in our weaknesses. When we do not know what to pray, prayer is already happening! Because of our new birthright in Christ, there is the support of our Helper who intercedes on our behalf, even when our voice is silent. The Spirit lends us His voice. And, apparently we are not always aware of this constant prayer.

The Voice that speaks and sings for us is one we may not even understand. Think about that, these “wordless groans” do not sound like a voice that prompts judges to turn their chairs. Like an instrumental melody the voice of the Spirit helps us in this way. To us, this “wordless groan” might be like jazz scatting. To heaven it is a detailed, custom fit, and loving prayer for our deepest weaknesses–our wounds, habits, and faults.

We love to quote Romans 8:28 about God working all things together for good. But, do we realize that the working of good is partly this helpful intercession? Do we embrace the fact that we really do not know what to pray at times and that God has that covered for us? The good working together here is that the grace of God not only is my hope in justifying me before a righteous judge. It is also hope that my daily life has supernatural help where I need it most.

My pride wants my voice to be what get’s me holier, healthier, and simply better. But, reality shows my ineptitude in prayer. This is hope! And, hope in things we see is not hope. I cannot fathom or define The Voice in me that prays for my weaknesses. It is part of the hope of being a child of God. To think that The Voice of his Spirit is there to help us in the daily grind, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not is simply amazing.

This post is part of a blog initiative for Leadership Journal’s Conversations. This is a new site and I was invited with some others to contribute to the conversation.

There have been plenty of intense times of spiritual battle. I remember one encounter that was especially powerful. It is not often that specific prayers of spiritual battle are verified after the fact. Most of the time I have prayed against the devil, for protection of people, and when I was scared of the dark. My most intense time of spiritual warfare stands out because it was more than my own experience.  Others were sharing it. And, they were thousands of miles away.

I traveled to Chicago with my wife to interview with a church ministry in regards to a worship pastor position they were soon filling. Besides meeting hospitable midwesterners, experiencing fireflies, and eating authentic bratwurst, not much else from this trip was memorable. This season in my life included several interviews like this one.

I tossed and turned in bed. At first I thought it was the bratwurst influencing this deep pressure and emotional turmoil I felt. It soon became clear to me that I was supposed to get up and pray. A friend from my small group Bible study came to mind. It was as if I could almost see him in my mind.

There were no words heard in my mind, but I knew that my friend at that exact moment was in a spiritual battle and God chose to include me in the fight. I took note of that moment on the clock. With my wife sleeping in our hotel room bed near me, I got up and silently prayed. The few moments of prayer passed and I went back to sleep.

There was a moment when I wondered if it all was really the bratwurst. So, talking to my friend about the experience took some nerve. I asked him what happened at the actual time I woke and prayed for him. The timezone difference made it clear he was not in bed. His response amazed me.

My friend frequented a bookstore coffee shop in Northern California. He purposed to talk to people about his faith. He sat at a table and began a conversation with a man. My friend described something odd happening to him. He could not speak. Some force would not allow him to talk to this man. He said he knew it was a spiritual attack. From Chicago, I fought with my buddy in California.

The reality of spiritual warfare became much more real to both of us. In our small group Bible study, a friend experienced ritual sacrifices on a his property. In my circle of friends, marriages were under attack, and families were struggling as well. I received a gift to be included in the heavenly intervention of my friend’s attempt to share his faith. Looking for a fight? Spiritual warfare can find us, sometimes.

What is your most intense spiritual warfare experience?

Today’s doodle is fairly obvious, or is it? I guess I was wondering whether or not the new iPhone 3.0 software release would allow my prayer life a boost.

Is online gaming and prayer possible? I think Russ Hutto thinks so. Check out his post: Can An Online Game Help You Pray For People?

In today’s world of social media, gaming is something that I think a window in reaching out to people can be employed. As I said in a workshop I presented at, “Remember there is a real person on the other side of that screen.”

BTW, my Xbox LIVE handle is reddinggamer!

This famous 2008 Youtube “Obama Is Going to Pay For My Gas And Mortgage” represents the high expectations Obama has to live up to. Biden seems to think that its not domestic, but international issues that bring high expectations for Obama.

“You asked me earlier if I am worried about the exceedingly high expectations that people have for President Barack Obama,” Biden told CNN’s Larry King in advance excerpts of his interview with the talk-show host.

“I said domestically I wasn’t so worried about that but internationally I am,” Biden said, adding that foreign hopes for the incoming administration were overwhelming.

Regardless of your political views, its is obvious expectations by some of Obama are strataspheric and perhaps a challenge in and of themselves. So, I think we should pray for our new leader to succeed. (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Pray.

I am with the Miller family this weekend and was searching twitter and know that Randy and family are grateful for the support from my fellow tweets:

• @imagedesigns
• @kayoodle
• @mattmahermusic
• @stonestreet
• @sambam87
• @SpiritCoach
• @loswhit
• @RKWeblog
• @wethechurch
• @donavanhill
• @joymark
• @scbubba
• @tonysteward
• @nickhoss
• @mufan96
• @steveb7
• @kmueller62
• @BillGiovannetti
• @trevormeier
• @tehillamusic
• @theworshipcomm
• @locustfist
• @cwdaniels
• @aboutCCM
• @absolutepunk
• @a_skart
• @RocktheCrossWes

BTW, you can find me on twitter here @rkweblog. Prayer works… and twitter surely helps in that process!

I am very moved by the big hearts of bloggers and twitter friends who have shared the story of Randy Miller of The Myriad linking to his video or mentioning how people can pray and help.  If you do not know his band, they are fantastic.  However, I first got to know Randy as a concrete contractor who played drums in my church’s worship team.  I know his wife, kids and my family loves the Millers!  They are family to us.

So, as an encouragement to them, I am showing how many of you bloggers have linked and are praying for them. Today there are 520 LINKS, so I am gonna just give you a sample of 12 blogs…

Ragamuffinsoul.com

Evan Courtney blog

Independent Music

Consuming Worship blog

Sarah’s So Bored Since She Stopped Drinking

Leif’s Blog

Rock Dirt

Mike Dalton

VIva Cecelia

RamblingsOfABoyMom

Tony Chavez Blog

Stereo Truth

**UDPATE: Some MORE sites keep popping up with support and prayer (12/5/08)

A Renewed Revolution of Hope

Maxgrace.com

MyWorshipRevolution.com

BabuLife

RockTheCross.net

Also, those of you who Twitter (twitter.com) have been generous to spread the word. Please pray. The prayer is working. Medi-Cal has been approved and Randy starts chemo treatments this Monday.  Here is the link to help.

Hey readers of RKWL… PLEASE watch this short video put on by Randy Miller’s band, The Myriad.  Randy is an amazing person who really needs help in his battle for cancer.  Go to www.themyriad.net to support Randy and his family.