Imagine a pitch-black night in a strange neighborhood with unfamiliar surroundings. All the sudden fear strikes like an upper cut from Mike Tyson, simply because you’re lost. In fact, you’re so lost you wouldn’t know how to ask for directions even if there were anyone to ask.

That’s how it can feel when you’re going through difficult times in life. You know you’re lost in a strange place, but you’re so lost you don’t even know how to pray to ask God for directions.

The words “Lord, help” are in your mind, but they won’t form on your lips.

Fortunately, God has given us a Guide, someone who will help us ask for the directions we need. The Holy Spirit knows the neighborhood, He knows how we feel, and He speaks the language we don’t.

If you are in a dark and stormy place, you have a prayer partner in the Holy Spirit. But a partnership takes two.

“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.” (Romans 8:26)