Give Wings to Our Prayers

Give Wings to Our Prayers

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

In November of 2019, my family and I left our Minneapolis home and began a two-year adventure in New Zealand. Although the COVID-19 pandemic came along soon after our arrival, we still were able to explore much of that beautiful country and make some wonderful new friendships. Since there weren’t any Lutheran churches in the area where we lived, I became involved with the local Anglican parish, helping out in the church office and occasionally leading worship. That allowed me to become familiar with the New Zealand Prayer Book, a wonderful resource for prayer and worship published in 1989. As is common in New Zealand, the prayer book is written in both English and Māori, the language of the indigenous people, and it beautifully blends various cultural and spiritual themes.

I invite you to pray this prayer for morning from the New Zealand Prayer Book.

Creator of the universe, infinite and glorious,

you give us laws to save us from our folly;

give us eyes to see your plan unfolding,

your purpose emerging as the world is made;

give us courage to follow the truth

courage to go wherever you lead;

then we shall know blessings beyond our dreams;

then will your will be done.

Holy and enabling Spirit,

give wings to our morning prayers.

May those we support and cherish with our love

receive your grace to help them in their need.

Amen.

Whenever we pray, whether we have words to say or not, we can trust that the Holy Spirit is with us to intercede for us and to “give wings to our prayers.” Wherever you are now in this time of prayer, you are not alone.