“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26
This is comforting assurance and encouragement for us to pray! It is true, even our prayers are tainted by our sinful nature. We often ask for things we should not and forget to ask for things we should. Our thoughts often drift, our sincerity wanes, our requests are often more about our will than God’s will. And yet, this verse from Romans reminds us that despite all of this, we have and Intercessor Who helps us bring our prayers before God. This Intercessor is none other than the Holy Spirit Himself. He is the One Who moves us by faith to pray to the Father and as we do so in the Name of Jesus, we are met by the unified Trinity whenever we fold our hands in prayer. Isn’t that wonderful? Oh yes, it is!
I’ve often wondered what those “groans” sound like and how the Spirit brings them before God. While we use words in our prayers, we also recognize that human language is limited and cannot always express fully that which is in our hearts or what we should be asking for from God. Just as the Spirit works though human language to create, sustain and strengthen our faith, so we can be confident that as we pray, He brings completeness to our prayers and the faith in which they are offered.
All of these truths should be an encouragement for us to pray. We should not be deterred by our own inabilities to fully articulate our requests or lack of eloquence in doing so or even in our limited degree of faith. The Holy Spirit makes our prayers complete through His power and intercession. We can be sure that God indeed hears our prayers beyond the fullness in which we offer them.
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian