Oct 13, 2019
Originally Presented: Sept 9, 2007
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:26-27
Romans 8 is filled with encouragement for the Christian heart. This encouragement repeatedly comes by way of Paul's description of the work of the Holy Spirit in our souls and lives. The Holy Spirit sets us free in Christ (v 2), grants us life and peace (v 6), is the means of God's raising us from the dead (v 11), helps us put to death the sinful deeds of the body
(v 13), gives us inner assurance that we are children of God (vv 15,16), gives us a foretaste of the glory of our final redemption (v 23).
In Romans 8:26,27 we are encouraged to persevere in prayer because of the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We do not always know the right things to ask for in our prayers and so, according to Romans 8:26, the Holy Spirit helps us through an intercession. In this intercession the Holy Spirit not only pleads for us, but also in us. The 'groanings' mentioned in verse 26 seem to be, not only the groanings of the Holy Spirit on our behalf, but our groanings, which the Spirit inspires and directs.
It is similar to the dynamic we see in Galatians 4:6 and Romans 8:15. The Spirit comes into our hearts crying, "Abba, Father" and He thus inspires us to cry, "Abba." It is both the Spirit's cry and, in turn, our cry. So the Spirit brings to our hearts the 'groaning' of His desires and, in turn, we groan in prayer to the Father, helped by the Holy Spirit.
As God searches our hearts, as noted in Romans 8:27, He sees the promptings of the Spirit there, which are in perfect accordance with His will. These promptings are, of course, acceptable to God.
The dynamic of prayer presented here, the interaction between the Holy Spirit and the heart of the believer, is a great encouragement for us to pray. It fosters confidence and hope in spite of our many weaknesses.