In the same way that our “hope” gives us fortitude, the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. At times, our weakness is so intense that we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. At those times, the Spirit voices our requests for us. He intercedes by appealing to the only one who can help us, God himself.
We may not know the right words to say, but the Holy Spirit does. His groanings to God become effective intercession on our behalf.
The companionship of the Spirit in prayer is one of the themes of this chapter. Here, the Holy Spirit literally “joins in to help” us, expressing for us what we can’t fully express for ourselves. How should we pray?
Utilize all the forms prayer takes: adoration, confession, petition, thanksgiving, and meditation. As we pray, we should trust the Spirit to make perfect what is imperfect.
Listen during prayer. We should ask the Spirit to search our hearts and minds, and then we should be silent. Practice prayer as a habit. Combine prayer with other regular spiritual disciplines (Philippians 4:4-8).
Confess sins that the Spirit points out. The Father knows all hearts and he knows what the Spirit is saying. God can look deep, past our inarticulate groanings, to understand the need we face, our hidden feelings. Even when we don’t know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for us, always in harmony with God’s own will. With God helping us pray, we don’t need to be afraid to come before him.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
The foundational truth from today's passage is this: No matter what you are going through - the death of a loved one, divorce, depression, job loss, health issues, relationship issues, financial issues - whatever you are going through, God cares. He sees it, and even when we can't articulate what we are feeling, God's Holy Spirit interprets for us.
In those moments of quiet desperation, drop to your knees and in your silence, you can be assured that God hears you. God hurts with you.
The truth is you are never alone. As a follower of Jesus Christ, one of the great promises of Scripture is found in Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) - Jesus says, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
He will never leave you or forsake you. Never! What will you do with this foundational truth today?
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