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Romans 8:26 - The Holy Spirit Prays for Us.

Romans 8:26 " The Holy Spirit Prays for Us.

Romans 8:26 (NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our 
weaknesses. 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. 

Romans 8:26 (NLT) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. 
For example, we dont know what God wants us to pray for. But the 
Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in 
words. 

Romans 8:26 (TLB) And in the same way"by our faith"the Holy 
Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we 
dont even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, 
but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be 
expressed in words. 

Romans 8:26 (MSG) Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the 
waiting, Gods Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we 
dont know how or what to pray, it doesnt matter. He does our 
praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our 
aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our 
pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. Thats why we can 
be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked 
into something good. 

INTRODUCTION

Of all the many teachings of the Word on prayer, this perhaps 
brings the greatest comfort of all to the believer who earnestly 
desires to communicate with God Almighty, but at times finds that words 
utterly fail.  We are weak.  His strength is made perfect in that 
weakness, as we seek to obey and do His will.  God's Spirit guarantees it. 
 Beyond the rightness of obeying God, in that He tells us to 
pray, prayer benefits the believer because thoughts and ideas are put 
into words and phrases which often may surprise the believer when 
they "come out."  But there are times when we know we "ought" to 
pray, but just can't, or don't know what to say.  God's Spirit comes 
alongside and literally translates for us. Don't take this as not needing 
to put your supplications into words.  But when they can't be put 
into words, be encouraged and recognize that the Spirit will 
accomplish it to God's glory! [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom] 

COMMENTARY

   I spent some time with friends who had experienced a family 
tragedy. Their grief was palpable, and they were shaken to the core. As 
we drove to their house, my wife and I talked about what to say and 
do once we got there. We knew our words would be empty. We knew 
they probably wouldn't be able to put their pain into words or tell 
us what they needed. In light of that, we decided to just sit with 
them and be there.  
   I couldn't help remembering all the times I've been in pain 
and how hard it was to pray. I couldn't even put the words together. 
I certainly wasn't able to tell God what I needed from him because 
I didn't know myself. But God is so good! His Holy Spirit 
translates even our sighs and groans and tears into prayers and pleas.  
   In this life, there is no way to avoid pain and tragedy. It 
strikes us all from time to time. When that happens, we can take comfort 
in the fact that God understands even what we can't put into words, 
and he is there for us always. He promises that when we invite him 
into our lives, we will never again face painful times alone. He will 
be with us every step of the way.  
   Father, my life is in your hands. Thank you for being there 
whenever I need you, ready to comfort me wth your presence. In Jesus' 
name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny 
Baker] 

ILLUSTRATIONS

   On December 26, 1996, my life came to a sudden stop. My wife 
was diagnosed with a very rare and very aggressive form of breast 
cancer. Only months earlier my father had also been diagnosed with 
cancer. I was in total disbelief. Two of the people most important to me 
were in trouble, and there was little I could do. All my life I have 
been a person who could fix things; but this time, for the first 
time, I could do nothing. 
   At the time, I was taking part in a Bible study on Romans. 
When the leader read the above verses, it was as if God collected all 
of my feelings in this passage. I had felt helpless, but I was 
assured that the Holy Spirit was praying the prayers I did not know how 
to pray.  
   Since that December, my father has passed away. My wife has 
been through two operations and countless sessions of radiation. She 
also receives chemotherapy weekly. When things are more than I can 
handle, I still pray, and the Spirit still intercedes. Knowing this 
gives me hope to face another day. Gregory Wyant (North Carolina, 
U.S.A.) 
   Dear God, thank you for the Holy Spirit's prayers when we do 
not know what to ask. Thank you for the hope and peace that only you 
can bring into our lives. Amen. [www.upperroom.org/devotional/] 

   I woke up in a funk. Around our house we call this a "Weird 
Head Day." There was no real reason for this except that I just 
didn't want to feel better. My mood was telling me that I wanted to be 
miserable and make everyone around me miserable as well.  
   My wife saw what was happening and asked me what I could do 
to feel better. She was trying to get me to pick up some of my 
recovery tools. But I quickly answered, "There's nothing to do. I don't 
even think God wants to hear from me today." She responded by saying, 
"Really? God doesn't want to hear from you? Is that how you would treat 
your children when they're having a bad day?"  
   Her words woke me up, and I realized it was time to stop 
feeling sorry for myself. We prayed together, and before long the black 
cloud hanging over my head lifted. We are all in a spiritual battle, 
but God has given us spiritual armor to wear and recovery tools to 
help us. Prayer is the number one tool to use on those Weird Head 
Days.  
   Father, thank you for giving me everything I need to live 
joyously every day. Forgive me when I choose to forget that and give way 
to moodiness. In Jesus' name, Amen.  [Celebrate Recovery Daily 
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]  

CLOSING THOUGHTS

   My dear child, Prayer is not complicated. It is very simple. 
It is a conversation between your heart and mine. It is a place 
where all of your questions and all of my answers can find each other. 
It is the breath of my Holy Spirit cooling your anxiety and 
stirring up the flames of your faith. It is a time for you to reflect on 
who I am, and a time for me to strengthen and comfort who you are. 
   Don't worry about prayer. Don't intellectualize about prayer. 
Don't study prayer. Just pray. You will learn to pray by praying. When 
you don't know where to start, start with praise. When you don't 
feel worthy, repent and receive my forgiveness. When you don't know 
what to say, don't struggle. My Spirit knows how to express the deep 
longings of your heart apart from your words. 
   Come needy. Drink deeply. Praise freely. Be filled. I will 
meet you there, God [Postcards from Heaven by Claire Cloninger] 

   Come to Me when you are weak and weary. Rest snugly in My 
everlasting arms. I do not despise your weakness, My child. Actually, it 
draws Me closer to you, because weakness stirs up My compassion - My 
yearning to help. Accept yourself in your weariness, knowing that I 
understand how difficult your journey has been.  
   Do not compare yourself with others, who seem to skip along 
their life-paths with ease. Their journeys have been different from 
yours, and I have gifted them with abundant energy. I have gifted you 
with fragility, providing opportunities for your spirit to blossom in 
My Presence. Accept this gift as a sacred treasure: delicate, yet 
glowing with brilliant Light. Rather than struggling to disguise or deny 
your weakness, allow Me to bless you richly through it. (Isa. 42:3; 
54:10; Rom. 8:26) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

EXCELLENT MINI-VIDEO ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR SHAWN BOONSTRA:

http://www.itiswritten.com/television/episodes/2283