PRAYING WITH GROANINGS AND DEEP SIGHS
Likewise THE SPIRIT ALSO HELPETH OUR INFIRMITIES: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).
When we speak in tongues, we do so by faith. We open our mouths and the Holy Spirit gives us utterance. Here, your spirit is praying in tongues. The Bible says, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:14). So, it’s your spirit that prays in tongues even though the utterance is granted to your spirit by the Holy Spirit.
But there’s another one that’s a higher level of prayer. That’s what is written for us in Romans 8:26 which we read as our opening scripture. The underlined phrase “… the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities…” tells us how the Spirit helps and takes hold together with us in our weakness. He props you up and helps you pray in line with the perfect will of God especially when you face dire situations and are at your wit’s end. He takes over and helps you pray correctly.
The AMPC puts it beautifully. It says, “So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.” At this higher level of prayer, the Holy Spirit Himself has taken over, making intercessions with groanings and deep sighs according to the will of God.
You may find yourself crying uncontrollably but not out of pain; keep at it and don’t be troubled. It’s the Holy Spirit praying through you. This is the most effective kind of prayer, and it’s the Spirit’s joy to make it happen for you. So, each time you pray, yield yourself to the Holy Spirit to pray through you, and you’ll be amazed at the impact and the tremendous results in your life and circumstances. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the ministry of the Holy Spirit who helps me in prayer. I yield myself completely to Him to intercede through me with groanings and deep sighs, causing your perfect will to be established in my life and in the lives of others. I walk in the light of your Word, always led by the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 14:14 AMPC, Jude 1:20, John 14:16-17
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 9, Psalms 128-134
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 18:28-34, 1 Samuel 11-12
