A Helper Who Prays for Us – Words of Grace – October 23, 2020

Every morning I wake up with a sense of my weakness. I don’t know how to pray. I don’t know how to think, feel, speak, or act. The older I grow, the more I realize how much I don’t know.

Oh, the joy of waking up with the thought that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, is praying for me.

Romans 8:26 has some interpretive issues to consider. Some people believe the Holy Spirit is actually doing the groaning, which is a form of intercession from the Spirit to the Father on our behalf. Others believe the Holy Spirit takes our groanings (imperfect prayers) and makes them into perfect petitions to God.

Either way we interpret these words we are left with the same reality; perfect prayers on our behalf are coming before the Father because the Holy Spirit is making that happen. He can take our groaning prayers and shape them up, or he can make his own intercessions for us, without us. We know the Father hears these prayers because when they get to him they are according to his will. And, his will is to work all things in our lives for the purpose of conforming us to the image of his Son Jesus Christ so we can share in his glory.

The help the Holy Spirit gives us in prayer gets us all the way through all things and to final glory.

Think about that. What are you facing today? What is the challenge ahead? What is making you fearful, distrustful, and unsettled? The Holy Spirit is interceding for you.

Are you trying to pray? Do your prayers sound more like groans? Have they come to a grinding halt? The Holy Spirit is praying with you and for you.

How can the Spirit’s prayers for you not be heard? They are perfect prayers. They are according to the will of the Father. It is unfathomable that the Father would not hear the prayers of the Spirit on behalf of his children. It is impossible for him to turn away these petitions.

And think about this. Your imperfect prayers are no hindrance to God’s work in your life. God is not limited by you in any way. He takes notice of your ignorance and imperfection in prayer. He helps you in your weakness.

So, let’s get on with praying! Get up, get going, and be praying all the way. Use words. If you can’t find the words, then groan. But whatever you do, take heart. You have a Helper who prays for you.

This Helper will be with us Sunday as we pray together.

-Scott