Romans 8:26 "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

In our society people are expected to be achievers. Sometimes the pressure and competition become too great. A person reaches the breaking point and he or she can't function effectively anymore. We call that burnout.

It's happened before. Moses, the patient leader of Israel, had more than he could take. He said, "I am not able to carry this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me."

Even the great apostle Paul became mentally and physically exhausted. He was so worn out that he could not even pray properly. When he reached the point of utter weariness, Paul knew that God would not forsake him. It was at that moment that the Spirit of God stepped in to pray for him.

Have we reached our breaking point? Do we feel like we can't take it anymore? Like we want to run away from our cares and responsibilities? Like we can't see God through our pain? That's when God's Spirit takes over. The Lord does not abandon us. He will say for us the prayers we can't utter ourselves.

That we can believe. That we can hold on to. That precious promise is ours!

PRAYER: Lord, I spread out my hands to You. When You hide your face, when I have no strength and my soul is full of troubles, I cry to You. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800 325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: Job 22-24    Matthew 12:1-23

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