Devotion: With Sighs to Deep for Words

By Rev. Katy Krumbach

For (when) we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Rom 8:26

Morning prayer was an essential part of our ‘retreat’ experience. We gather for two weeks twice a year as part of our DMin studies and, each time, we quickly became a community- in class, in studies, at meals and in prayer. We were able to carry one another’s burdens.  When we departed for distant homes, we mourned the loss of our community.

Today the words Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ over me and Christ under me spoke directly to my heart. I knew I was feeling unsettled, uncomfortable, uneasy with concerns at home. Was it possible these words were in bold print? No, on the paper the words were printed, as always, in regular, 12 point, Times New Roman font. The boldness must be in my heart.

I looked again around the room and saw our circle, at peace and complete, and I was part of the circle. Although I felt out of sync, all was good in the Body of Christ. But I became aware that these words were exactly what I needed to hear. Where did that boldness come from?

As we moved from the liturgy into community prayer time, our normally noisy, supportive, caring and compassionate group prayer was silent. The silence was not uncomfortable, just unusual. The silence spoke to my heart. I wondered at the unity of our unspoken thoughts. There was a sense in my soul that it was good, it was all good.

I heard the movement of the second hand on the clock. Click-click- click-click- click-click. Every time the second hand paused after it moved forward, my heart would beat in time. Click-beat-click-beat.

Then, in the rhythm of the silence, I heard a groan. Was that really a groan? I tuned out the clock and listened again, more closely. I heard the movement of the clock hand in unity with the beating of my heart. There was another groan, and also sigh.

In my confusion, clarity came.

For (when) we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Rom 8:26

In my confusion and lost-ness, I no longer felt alone. I felt the assurance that I was a loved and precious part of the Body.  I was being supported and cared for even as I had not yet admitted my needs. But God knew, the Spirit knew.

Amen was spoken, and felt.