Posted on 09/24/2018 6:33:56 PM PDT by metmom
But the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).
Because He understands our struggles in this life, the Holy Spirit continually prays for us before the Fathers throne.
In the midst of lifes many difficulties and stressful times, there is hardly anything more comforting than knowing you have a friendsomeone on your side. In the legal realm, an attorney formally argues your case when you need to settle a judicial or financial dispute. This concept of friend and advocate is right at the heart of the Holy Spirits role as our Paraclete, one called alongside to help (John 14:16).
Pauls words in todays passage comfort us with the knowledge that the Spirit is fulfilling the promise of John 14 by being on our side and shepherding us toward Heaven. In the process He is continuously ensuring the security of our salvation and interceding for us and all believers, just as Christ does (see Luke 22:31-32; Heb. 7:25).
We would be at an eternal loss if the Holy Spirit did not intercede for us. He understands our sinful frailties and knows that, by our own wisdom, we dont know how to pray properly for ourselves or how to consistently maintain our walk with the Lord. This intercession is done with groanings too deep for words (Rom. 8:26).
Those groanings refer to divine communications between the Father and the Spirit that transcend any human language. They are more like sighs that cant be put into words. That means we cant know precisely what the Holy Spirit says when he intercedes on our behalf, but we can be certain that He is praying for us.
The Spirits lofty ministry of intercession reminds us again of how utterly dependent we are on Him to support us and help us with our daily discipleship. As the Christian writer A.W. Pink once said, Only by His [the Spirits] strengthening of the heart are we delivered from being engrossed in the things around us, and our earthbound affections are drawn to things above.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God that when you are perplexed or confused and unsure how to pray, the Spirit will already be interceding for you.
For Further Study
Jesus most notable time of intercession for His disciples came in John 17. Read this chapter, and record the items that compose His intercessory list. How do these apply to us?
Studying God’s Word ping
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Thank you. Very well written and addressed. This is a high and lofty subject, hard to be expressed.
The Holy Spirit loves us ever so deeply and knows us perfectly, far, far better than we know ourselves. When we pray with Him His love for us is felt and known.
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