APRIL 6, 2023 – HELP OF THE SPIRIT

READ: Rom. 8:22-27

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered – Rom. 8:26b

Our prayer to God is an extremely precious commodity. We may pour out our hearts to Him, plead on God’s rich promises of forgiveness and eternal life, and feel safe and secure with God as our Father. Yet there is still much in our prayer that is flawed, imperfect, and sinful. Our prayer is still broken. We can hardly stand to separate ourselves from our daily activities and make time for prayer. As a result our minds wander easily, even if we are able to formulate good words. We often prepare minimally or not at all for this extremely important conversation. Our own desires and insights often come first rather than the interests of God’s kingdom. All this makes our prayer as a conversation flawed in content and form. We do not adequately gauge the need in which we find ourselves and still lack so much distinction about the way the Lord shows us. The gratitude we owe Him is often so meager. In addition, our “sighing” in this world can knock us down.

Paul therefore says that “we do not know what we should pray for as we ought” (Rom. 8:26). But God does not leave us alone in the misery of imperfect prayers. He listens to our Intercessor, our Advocate: our Lord Jesus Christ. And He listens to the Holy Spirit, who Himself makes intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. The Spirit knows our hearts and conveys our need and gratitude to the Father. Let us marvel and give God the honor.

Do you also pray that the Holy Spirit helps you to align your prayer with God’s Word?

Singing: Ps. 143:4