In this column we are discussing the role of the Holy Spirit in the prayer life of the believer. Last time we began to consider Romans 8:26-27 and saw that the Spirit helpeth (helps) our infirmities. Why does the Holy Spirit help our infirmities? Verse 26 is clear when it says, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. Sometimes we are conscious of that truth. We may have a very heavy burden to bring to the Lord, but we simply do not know how to pray, nor for what we should ask. Have you had that experience? It is wonderful to know that in those difficult times the Holy Spirit will help us. In those moments of frustration when words fail us, He who indwells us will step in to intercede on our behalf.

Then there are those times when we think we know exactly what to say and are ready to pour out our hearts to request great things from the Lord. I am glad we are welcomed into God’s presence at those times, but I am also glad the Holy Spirit will intercede in those situations too. We may think we know what is best, but if we got everything for which we asked we might be very sorry. In his love for us, God often delivers us from our own foolishness, by not giving us exactly what we request. How grateful we should be for this special work of the Holy Spirit, who sometimes by-passes our surface requests, but deals with our concerns at a far deeper level.

This work of intercession is described in our text as with groanings which cannot be uttered.  What does that mean?  The term groaning speaks of grief. A related form of the word is translated sighed in Mark 7:34, where our Lord Jesus sighed before healing the man who was deaf and dumb. It reveals how our Lord grieved over the burden this poor man endured with his physical problems. The Holy Spirit grieves over the burdens we carry and, in the depth of His compassion for us, takes our plight to the Throne of grace. We cannot grasp the greatness of that blessing.

It is at that point the Father is ready to respond to our situation. Verse 27 says, And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. The Father will respond because He knows what is the mind of the Spirit. In other words, He knows what the Spirit has in mind as He intercedes for us. We must hold this truth until next time.

Used by permission of Biblical Family Ministries. Web site: http://www.biblicalfamilyministries.org

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