Devotion #5: The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weaknesses
“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.” Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)
Sometimes, I have no idea what to pray for! Should we put the kids in this school or that one? Should we sell the house now or later? Should I accept this job offer or turn it down? When should we go to this doctor or that one? On and on it goes, there is decision after decision in life. I pray, asking for His direction because I do not know what is best.
My confusion in prayer does not end with decisions. I often do not even know how to pray for the way I am feeling or thinking. “Lord, forgive me. And them! And make them call me and apologize! Also, help me not to hate them. And, make them miserable!” Oh, do not look at me that way! I know you pray like that, too! Lol.
As verse 26 says, I often “do not know what [I] should pray for.” Many times, my prayer begins one way or another, but by the time I am done praying, it has become something else entirely. This is because of the work of the Holy Spirit of God. He is God. As such, He knows exactly what is best. Paul’s words here tell us that not only does God have a will, but He loves us and wants to bring about His will in our lives. That is a comforting thought. God loves me and will override my stupidity to bring about His perfect will in my life. He is amazing!
The way He does this is by God the Holy Spirit “translating” my prayers. That is what Paul says here in Romans 8:26-27. The Holy Spirit of God begins to pray for me according to the will of God for my life. It goes something like this. I might go to the Lord and pray, “Lord, please give me that promotion. It will mean more money. It will take the pressure off. And maybe, I can get that new car. Amen!” God the Holy Spirit, because I am His child, quickly interrupts that prayer and “interprets” it for me: “He means, Lord, make him content and thankful for all that you have given him. Make him more and more focused on the Kingdom of Heaven and the lost around him, and less and less focused on material things. Amen!”
As a dad, I understand this process. My children have often asked me for things that are not the best for them. “Dad, can we just have ice cream for dinner?” Now, I do not just give in to those things (at least I try not to, but ice cream?). I do what they did not ask for, and I try to do what is best for them. “First, dinner, then maybe ice cream.”
As our Father, He knows what is best and will only ever do what is best for us! The assurance here is that He knows. He sees. He overrules. He loves us and is good to us. So pray and be sure that He will interrupt and interpret each prayer. We may end up with dinner instead of ice cream, but we can be sure that He will always do what is best for us.