Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
26 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. 27 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.
“I don’t even know what to pray for…” Sometimes in the midst of great suffering it can be hard to form words, moments of chaos can keep us from putting together coherent thoughts, or maybe a situation is so complex that it is hard to identify the greatest need. It is comforting to know that the Holy Spirit is actively interceding for us with such depth that it can’t even be expressed into words. What a personal God we have who loves His children dearly!
The Holy Spirit of God prays for us in complete harmony with God’s perfect will for our life. When we only see our limited view of situations and desires, our prayers tend to lean on our own understanding of the past, present, and our hope for the future. God says trust in Him instead (Proverbs 3:3-5). God is all-knowing and has a perfect plan to give us hope and a fruitful future (Jeremiah 29:11).
There is such power in prayer. What are you spending time in prayer about this week? As you praise God and then begin to present your needs, remember to pray for others. Perhaps you have a list of prayer requests you have jotted down this month from friends, family, or small group members. At times, we can feel distanced from scribbles of unfamiliar names or situations, but Romans 8:26-27 also reminds us that as we pray, we are not just uttering empty words. Our prayers join the melody of powerful intercessory groanings of the Holy Spirit.
It is a privilege to fellowship and communicate with our Almighty God through prayer. God gives us His Holy Spirit as our advocate who helps us live this Christian life. We can ask the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers and remind us of God’s Word so that we too are praying in harmony with God’s will. Jesus tells us, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you,” (John 14:26).
We can trust God with our hopes and our desires because as we seek His will, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). By faith, we can give God our daily problems. We can truly release our worries and fears to the Lord because they are not forgotten. Today, as you spend time with God in prayer, may you trust Him with every detail in your heart. Even if the words won’t come. Or you don’t know what to pray for, cry out to Jesus. Sit in God’s presence today, and “may we overflow with this confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NLT).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for Your gift of Your Holy Spirit. What hope it gives me today to know that Your Spirit intercedes for me. I too, pray your will over my life and over the lives of those you are inviting me to pray for today. Guide my prayer time and help me be more intentional about praying for others each day. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 145:2-3
2 Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.