The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES" for Saturday, 22 October 2016 with Scripture: Romans 8:18 I don’t think the sufferings we are going through now are even worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us in the future. 19 The creation waits eagerly for the sons of God to be revealed; 20 for the creation was made subject to frustration — not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it. But it was given a reliable hope 21 that it too would be set free from its bondage to decay and would enjoy the freedom accompanying the glory that God’s children will have. 22 We know that until now, the whole creation has been groaning as with the pains of childbirth; 23 and not only it, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we continue waiting eagerly to be made sons — that is, to have our whole bodies redeemed and set free. 24 It was in this hope that we were saved. But if we see what we hope for, it isn’t hope — after all, who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we continue hoping for something we don’t see, then we still wait eagerly for it, with perseverance.
26 Similarly, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we don’t know how to pray the way we should. But the Spirit himself pleads on our behalf with groanings too deep for words; 27 and the one who searches hearts knows exactly what the Spirit is thinking, because his pleadings for God’s people accord with God’s will.
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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.[Romans 8:26 (NIV)]
For years, I had trouble praying. The problem was not in the actual act of prayer but in the fear that I wasn’t praying correctly. I had received so much advice on different ways to pray that I was afraid of not making myself understood. In the midst of a minor crisis in which I wanted to communicate that I needed God with me no matter what happened, the Spirit led me to dwell on Romans 8:26. I finally understood. The words I use are not all that important; I simply need to pray. God knows what is happening in our lives and what we need. And the Holy Spirit helps us to pray, giving voice to all we are trying to say.
Since then, praying has been easier for me. Sometimes I pray in new or different ways. Even when I feel muddled, I now understand that the Spirit intercedes, making my prayers clear to God.
The Author: Donald Lett (Ohio, USA)
Thought for the Day: I can rest in the promise that the Spirit intercedes for me.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for an intercessor who assures us that when we pray you know what we want to say. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Prayer focus: PEOPLE NEW TO PRAYER
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.[Romans 8:26 (NIV)]
For years, I had trouble praying. The problem was not in the actual act of prayer but in the fear that I wasn’t praying correctly. I had received so much advice on different ways to pray that I was afraid of not making myself understood. In the midst of a minor crisis in which I wanted to communicate that I needed God with me no matter what happened, the Spirit led me to dwell on Romans 8:26. I finally understood. The words I use are not all that important; I simply need to pray. God knows what is happening in our lives and what we need. And the Holy Spirit helps us to pray, giving voice to all we are trying to say.
Since then, praying has been easier for me. Sometimes I pray in new or different ways. Even when I feel muddled, I now understand that the Spirit intercedes, making my prayers clear to God.
The Author: Donald Lett (Ohio, USA)
Thought for the Day: I can rest in the promise that the Spirit intercedes for me.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for an intercessor who assures us that when we pray you know what we want to say. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Prayer focus: PEOPLE NEW TO PRAYER
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