READING: Romans 5-8
“. . . the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings”
Romans 8:26
I remember times when I just did not know how to pray, and I suspect that you do, too. You know you need to talk to God, but the emotions or pain of the moment make it seemingly impossible to do so. The words just won’t come, no matter how hard you try – or, the words come, and they just don’t feel right. Sometimes we just don’t know what to say.
That’s when, according to Paul, the Holy Spirit takes up the praying, interceding for us “with unspoken groanings” (Rom. 8:26). His praying is apparently so intense that we can’t wrap our minds around His words; He speaks with “groanings” that we may not understand. God, though, does understand – for the Spirit always prays in accordance with the will of the Father. Though scholars differ as to whether the Spirit does the actual praying or instead facilitates our own praying, something miraculous takes place in either case: God steps in to help us when we cannot help ourselves.
I’m always amazed by how much God loves us and how much He wants a relationship with us. Christ died for us while “we were still sinners” (Rom. 5:8). He has given us eternal life (Rom. 6:23). He has set us free from “the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). And, He helps us pray even when we don’t know how or what to pray. That’s a God worthy of our love and obedience.
ACTION STEPS:
- Pray throughout the day more than you typically do, and trust Him to pray when you can’t.
- Thank God that He wants a relationship with us so much that He helps us pray.
PRAYER: “God, maybe I can pray only a little bit today – but I know Your Spirit takes up the praying when I can’t do it. I praise You!”
TOMORROW’S READING: Romans 9-12
