The Holy Spirit: Our Indwelling prayer Partner

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).

In times of trouble we instinctively turn to God in prayer. But at such times prayer can be exceedingly difficult. Weakened and emotionally numb, we do not know how to pray as we ought. In the face of bewildering circumstances we cannot fathom the will of God. Our words seem empty and useless as we struggle to articulate our heart’s longing.

 

For example, a loved one is in the final stages of cancer. We don’t want to lose our loved one but at the same time we want their suffering to end. Do we continue to pray for healing or do we ask God to take them home?

Paul assures us that the Holy Spirit is ever present to help us at such times. Even when we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God. The Spirit, who dwells in the deepest recesses of the soul, understands our longings and wordless groans even if we don’t. He makes our heart's desire known to God in perfect harmony with his will.

When we find ourselves pressed beyond measure by the trials of life, how reassuring it is to know we have an indwelling prayer partner: the Holy Spirit of God.