The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in helping us as believers pray effectively by interceding on our behalf, guiding our prayers, and aligning them with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 captures this beautifully:
Text: Romans 8:26-27;
“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. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” NKJV
This passage highlights several key-ways in which the Holy Spirit assists believers in prayer, particularly in moments of weakness or uncertainty. We shall consider some of these areas:
The Holy Spirit Helps in Our Weakness (Romans 8:26a)
The Holy Spirit comes alongside believers to help in their “weaknesses.” This weakness could include times when we feel spiritually dry, physically exhausted, emotionally burdened, or unsure of what to pray. Our human limitations often hinder our ability to pray effectively or fully understand God’s will in a situation. But the Holy Spirit compensates for those limitations by providing divine help. Consider Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:9); Paul faced a form of weakness he called a “thorn in the flesh” and asked God in prayer three times for it to be removed. However, God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV). In such moments of human weakness that we face in life as believers, the Holy Spirit steps in to strengthen us in the place of prayer where we feel despondent and uncertain, allowing us to depend on God’s strength, even when we don’t have the words to articulate our needs.
Intercession with Groanings that Cannot Be Uttered (Romans 8:26c)
The Holy Spirit makes intercession for believers “with groanings which cannot be uttered.” These groanings refer to deep, spiritual communication beyond human language. It is the Holy Spirit’s way of expressing what words cannot, especially when the burden is too heavy or when our minds are overwhelmed by circumstances. The Spirit’s intercession goes beyond verbal prayers and reaches the depth of our hearts and God’s heart.
Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-39): In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed with such intensity and anguish that He said, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38). Though this is an example of Jesus’ prayer, it highlights how believers often face moments of deep emotional and spiritual distress, where they may not even have the words to pray. In such cases, the Holy Spirit intercedes with groanings that are beyond human articulation, praying according to God’s will.
Aligning Our Prayers with God’s Will
Romans 8:27 explains that the Holy Spirit intercedes for the saints “according to the will of God.” One of the Holy Spirit’s primary roles in prayer is aligning our desires and requests with God’s purposes. Often, we may not know God’s will in a specific situation, or we may be uncertain about how to pray for something. The Holy Spirit intercedes, ensuring that our prayers are in harmony with what God desires for our lives.
Jesus teaching the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:10 exemplifies the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of believers. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He emphasised, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 NKJV). The Holy Spirit helps believers pray in alignment with God’s will, much like how Jesus instructed His followers to seek God’s will above all else in their prayers. The Holy Spirit teaches us everything related to God’s will, including how to pray in accordance with His will and Word.
Guidance in How to Pray
The Holy Spirit also guides believers on what to pray for and how to pray, giving them wisdom and discernment. This is crucial, especially in complex situations where we may not have clear direction on how to approach God. The Spirit not only gives insight into what needs to be prayed for but also reveals areas where we may not be aware of spiritual needs.
John 16:13 (NKJV): “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
The Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth to us, guiding us to pray in line with the Father’s desires. This ensures that our prayers are not based on our own feelings, societal or cultural construct, thoughts or limited understanding but are rooted in God’s wisdom and purposes.
The Bible has some powerful instances where the Holy Spirit aids in prayer. Let us consider some of them:
- Paul and Silas in Prison: Empowered to Pray and Worship
Acts 16:25-26 (NKJV):
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”
While Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they prayed and worshiped God, and the Holy Spirit responded with a miraculous intervention. Their prayers were empowered by the Spirit, which resulted in an earthquake that freed them and led to the conversion of the jailer and his household. The Holy Spirit helped them pray effectively, even in dire circumstances.
- Peter’s Vision and Prayer Guided by the Spirit
Acts 10:9-20 (NKJV):
“The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened… While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.'”
Peter was in prayer when the Holy Spirit gave him a vision and spoke to him about preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, which led to the conversion of Cornelius’ household. This passage shows how the Holy Spirit not only helps in the place of prayer but also provides divine guidance and reveals God’s will during prayer.
- The Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to pray in tongues and enabled them to proclaim the gospel to people from different nations, fulfilling their call as witnesses.
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV):
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Summary:
The Holy Spirit’s assistance in prayer is invaluable for believers. As believers, our understanding is limited, and often, we do not know what to pray for or how to pray effectively. However, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, expressing our deepest needs in ways we cannot, aligning our prayers with God’s perfect will, and empowering us to pray with wisdom and courage.
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
Prayer: Holy Spirit my God, please revive my prayer life with Your fresh-fire, in Jesus Name.
Feast of Light Word Ministry
