Groanings too Deep for Words

Double Rainbow (c) Jan Parrish 2010

In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. -  Romans 8:26-27 (NASV)

Have you experienced such extreme grief that sorrow seems to permeate your entire being? Words can never express the depth of your heartache and uttering a prayer feels like a herculean effort.

Thankfully, God in his infinite mercy sent the Holy Spirit. He understands your anguish and groans to the Father on your behalf.  Whatever your circumstances, the loss of a loved one, financial devastation, a severed relationship or broken dreams; you are never fully alone in your suffering. What a beautiful, soothing promise.

Thank you Father, for sending your Holy Spirit to minister to us when we are heartbroken and feel alone. Thank you that you never leave us or forsake us.

The Star Spangled Banner

The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
By Francis Scott Key 1814



Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I'm amazed at the number of people who don't know the words to the Star Spangled Banner. Granted, it's not an easy song to sing, but it's our national anthem. I must confess, I only know the first verse and it's a shame because all the verses are wonderfully meaningful.