As followers of Jesus, I am positive that we have all been in seasons of life that feel indescribably heavy.

More times than not, when you’re facing circumstances that seem so overwhelmingly impossible to fix or change. . .when you feel powerless. . .a dear brother or sister in Christ turns to you and says something like, “Just pray about it.”

These words can often be hard to swallow in the midst of crisis. Sometimes you may not really feel like praying. Trust me; I’ve been in this place.

My heart is wrecked by the reality of the orphan crisis on a daily basis. I think about all of the children who have lost more than I can fathom–some of whom I’ve met. I see the statistics and the articles and the countless photos of round, sad eyes that seem to be looking to me for help.

It is so easy for me to start drowning in the massiveness of it all. It is so easy to become angry at the unspeakable things that happen to those who are most vulnerable.

This is especially heart wrenching when I feel that I am not in a position to physically do anything about it where I am right now.

When I express this heaviness on my heart, I am often told, “Well, I guess all you can do right now is pray.”

This tends to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I find myself wanting to scream, “I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY!!!” Most of the time, I really can’t come up with the words.

I’ve often felt like I can’t go to God because if I didn’t know what I was going to say to Him, I wasn’t ready to come before Him. Or I’ve felt that I couldn’t bring things like anger and hopelessness to Him.

Isn’t it pretty crazy that we know all God wants is for us to come to Him as we are, yet we still feel like we have to have an award-winning speech prepared? We feel like we have to have the perfect words–or that we have to have words in the first place.

When I find myself here, Romans 8:26 provides clarity and peace

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

This verse promises that when I don’t have the words, the Holy Spirit is there to speak on my behalf. He knows the deepest longings of my heart and He has wordsfor them. He speaks out to the Father all that is weighing heavy on my soul. I don’t have to say anything at all.

The Father knows my heart and how passionately I long for a world where every child has a place where they are known, loved, and safe.

And He hears.

In the midst of the overwhelming, He knows the secret desires of your heart. He hears your cries even when you can’t vocalize them. He knows all that is weighing you down in this season, and He wantsyou to come.

You don’t have to have any words prepared. All you have to do is come.

You have a Helper who knows exactly what to say.

As you go to God this month, please remember the following requests on behalf of orphans and The Boaz Project:

Please pray for Veeraselvi, a girl from House of Joy. She’s been having severe migraines and little to no relief. We’ve sent money for an MRI and need to cover her and her doctors in prayer as they seek an explanation and a remedy to these headaches.

Also ask God for wisdom for the leaders of The Boaz Project and of our partner in Kenya, Christ at Work Ministries as we sense God leading us to extend our reach to the orphans and vulnerable children in Limuru. Pray that we will accurately discern God’s leading and follow in a way that brings glory to Him.

Thank God for providing the resources needed to build a home for the boys of Bethel Home. All permissions have been granted and construction has begun!

Ask God continue to provide the funds necessary to reach an ever-increasing number of children with His love. We’ll be holding a fundraiser breakfast on Nov. 1 and would love for you to bathe that event in prayer as we share an exciting vision! Let us know if you’d like to come and hear all about it!

K