Safe Haven

When we step into the new life that Jesus offers, we begin to experience His heart for us and understand His desires for the earth. Our hearts start to long for what His heart longs for, and this longing is birthed in the place of prayer.

There are many good desires that God Himself plants in us: the ultimate desire for Him, the awareness of our brokenness, and our deep need for His presence. But He also places in us dreams and longings for this life — getting into a dream school, graduating with a degree, landing a job, starting a business, creating something meaningful. Even the desire for a God-fearing spouse and raising a family can be holy, God-given yearnings.

In my own secret place of prayer, I’ve felt my spirit groaning for these things. I’ve wrestled against the enemy’s lies — the whispers of “you’re not worthy” or “God doesn’t really care about this.” And yet, even as I intercede for my heart to be prepared to steward God’s blessings when the time is right, I’ve realized something deeper is happening: the Spirit is cultivating in me a longing for the ultimate promise — His return

The Spirit’s Intercession

Romans 8:26–27 says:

“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. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

What a gift — the Spirit Himself intercedes for us according to God’s will. And the ultimate will of God is that all would come to know Him and be like Him.

One of the deepest groanings the Spirit produces in believers today is the Maranatha cry. This Aramaic phrase appears in Revelation 22:20:

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

This should be tattooed on our hearts as followers of Christ. We are called to be a ready and expectant Bride, longing for His return and crying together: Maranatha — Come, Lord Jesus!

Living the Maranatha Cry

Over the last two years, God has pressed this revelation deeply into my heart. I can remember specific moments on the floor of my room, weeping in longing for His return — praying for revival in my generation, for an Acts 2 outpouring of His Spirit. These groanings too deep for words are the very things of His heart.

And the evidence is all around us: He is moving.

Last December (2024), I got my first tattoo — the word Maranatha in script — because I felt convicted to live out this revelation every single day. He is returning, and He is coming for a spotless Bride.

Jesus illustrated this in Matthew 25 with the parable of the ten virgins: a call for readiness, watchfulness, and oil in our lamps. And when you step back and look at the canon of Scripture, you see this storyline woven throughout: from Genesis to Revelation, it has always been about redeeming us back into perfect unity with Him.

So I ask you, what are your groanings too deep for words? And how does that make you feel in light of the Maranatha cry? Have you ever felt the depth of your soul long to be reunited in perfect unity with the Father? For the return of your beloved Bridegroom? If not, ask Him for it. He always delights in giving us a greater desire for Him!