The Holy Spirit helps us ...

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the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. -Romans 8:26-27 NLT

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What do you think Paul means when he says "the Holy Spirit prays for us"? Is he saying that God is praying to himself or is he saying that the Spirit is praying through us. I believe that it is the latter. Writing in the context of spiritual gifts the apostle tells the Corinthians "I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand." The sentiments in both passages seem to indicate that there are times that words are inadequate when we approach God in prayer.

I resonate with such groanings in prayer. There have been times that, in deep anguish of soul, I have prayed in unintelligible words. On many of those times I have experienced a deep peace as I prayed in that manner. There is something about releasing our concerns to God in prayer that has the ability to quiet our hearts. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is there in those times comforts me. When our words fail us He rises up with groanings from deep within us.

Come Holy Spirit. Help us to know how to pray. Pray through us with words known and unknown.

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