This morning I opened my Bible to where I left off reading in Romans 8, and rather than focusing on the verses I am most familiar with in that Chapter, my eyes were drawn to a few earlier verses, which are also quite well known, and often quoted. Here are the verses I will be reflecting on today - Romans 8:26-28 NIV:
[26] “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
[28] “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
As often happens, it was the last verse that first caught my attention and then I read a bit before for context. In this case, verses 26 and 27 are important to understanding verse 28, for they speak of the unseen reality that is the foundation for verse 28, at least that is how I read it.
In verse 26 Paul is writing about our common situation, not really knowing what God’s will is for us, not knowing His full plans, His purpose, even at times His next steps. We are unaware, but if we turn to Him for help, He does so, and He does so in Heavenly ways.
I believe that Paul is writing about speaking in tongues in verse 26, but it could include other prayer expressions where no words are spoken, only the cries of our hearts and mind. Regardless of how we define it, the point that the Holy Spirit helps us when we don’t know what to pray is the important point. He knows what we should be praying and so He helps us. Whether that is new words or new language, the point is that the Holy Spirit is helping us pray, even praying for us.
In my life, when I am stuck, or don’t have clarity I will seek the Lord! I will pray, and wait, and pray and wait, oftentimes using my prayer language, other times just silently crying for help! I believe that the Lord hears my prayers and responds, and that often times that response is being conducted in Heavenly places, which is what I think Paul is describing in verse 26 & 27.
We don’t know what to pray but the Holy Spirit helps us, He knows the perfect will and intercedes (Prays for us) for us in accordance with that will. He looks to the Father and the Son, and reads over us the next page of His perfect purpose and plan for us, and they all agree!
At least that is how I see it playing out in my mind…
That is a very reassuring image to me, for I know that God loves me, has paid the price to redeem me, has justified me, has given me His righteousness, and now He is praying for me His very will for me! He is all in, for me! He is for me! He is in agreement that His will, purpose and plan are perfect, and when I don’t know what to pray, He takes over for me and helps me to pray.
Now, to be clear, He doesn’t just do this for me, He does this for everyone who turns to Him, who is in relationship with Him, as Paul writes, all who love Him.
As Paul writes, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him!” He is working for our good, working to make His plan and purpose perfect, even to the point of praying and interceding for us! He is not some passive God just watching and waiting, He is actively encouraging, helping, even praying for us!
Lord, I thank You for this encouragement this morning, for clearly I am in a place where I need guidance, direction and help from Heaven! I thank You for interceding for me, for praying Your very will into my life!
Thank You Lord!
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