In the same way [as the Spirit blesses us in so many ways in our lives], the Spirit [also] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
Sometimes, our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling like BBs and fall to the floor, rattling around under our feet and tripping us up in mockery of our requests. Other times, we are overcome with emotion, and the words of our prayers can't begin to capture what's crashing around in our hearts. Thanks be to God for the assurance that the power of our prayers is not dependent upon the choice of our words but upon his grace given us by the Holy Spirit's intercession. The Holy Spirit presents our requests - our words, our emotions, and even the things beyond our words and emotions - and he does so to God powerfully and acceptably, no matter what comes out of our hearts and mouths!
My Prayer...
Holy God and loving Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, through whom I have the ultimate assurance that you hear and accept my words, thoughts, emotions, and even the conflicts of my heart when I pray. In Jesus' name, I thank you for this grace. Amen.
"And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin..."
"Dear Disciple,
You are saved by grace. You received that grace through faith. There is no room for boasting about being saved. Neither is there any....."
"[After washing the disciples' feet, Jesus said to them,] "I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more..."
![Illustration of Romans 8:26-27 — In the same way [as the Spirit blesses us in so many ways in our lives], the Spirit [also] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/1346.jpg "Illustration of Romans 8:26-27 — In the same way [as the Spirit blesses us in so many ways in our lives], the Spirit [also] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.")
Bible: Browse OT/NT Books
Comments
Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment