How to Pray Article Series: How Can We Engage Our Mind Fully in Prayer in Times of Grief and Joy?

by Babes Tan-Magkalas



A common question asked by people is how to pray especially in times of grief and joy. Sometimes, it is hard to focus when praying, or even to start praying, in times of intense emotions such as grief and joy.

It is much easier to pray in times of joy than in times of grief. A simple 'thank you Lord" is enough so long as it comes from the bottom of your heart. We find it easier to thank God for the things that make us happy. When you remember the reason for your joy while praying, it doesn't have to be a distraction by including it as a part of your prayer.

In my experience, it is harder to pray in times of grief, not because of the distraction, but because of something else. My sister passed away in March 2007 because of pancreatic cancer. After her funeral, we had nine days of recited group prayers. After that, I stopped praying. It's not that I didn't want to pray, it's because I couldn't. My heart was broken and my soul was wounded that whenever I tried to pray, nothing came out of my heart, mind, and lips. I was empty.

My problem was my ability to pray. The stress and the pain I felt overpowered me. My relationship with God was still there though, He did not abandon me, I just couldn't bring myself to talk to him.

I was aware that I would be able to pray again and that I just have to wait it out. I didn't panic because the Bible gave me comfort through what Paul said in Romans 8:26-27. It said:

"In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for us believers according to God's will".

Because of that, I knew that the Holy Spirit would help me. He will intercede for me and take charge of my prayers for me. He would be my voice while I could not pray. He will know exactly what I would be praying for if I could. I also knew that he would pray for me according to the will of God. I found comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit was doing the praying for me.

In times of grief and in times when you just could not bring yourself to pray no matter how hard you try, let the Holy Spirit take the reigns and trust that the spirit would be able to deliver to God what is inside you.


About the Author
Go check out my free 13 video series on the answers to your biggest questions about prayers . For details on how to make your prayers more powerful and effective, visit www.how-to-pray-effectively.com.