“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”-{Romans 8:26-27}

The fact we are human is reason for our weakness, limitations in the physical realm.  Becoming a follower of Christ helps us realize how dependent we are on the LORD. But the wonderful truth we need not look at our weakness’, distress, limitations as the final say, but merely a reminder that we have someone to Help us, in every way. And in the passage before us He is speaking specifically about our weakness in prayer! The Holy Spirit is our HELP! How wonderful that the Creator and Redeemer should not leave us helpless but sent the Holy Spirit to help us. This is important to remember in your difficulties, trials. You are not alone. You are not in this on your own. The Holy Spirit resides within you and one of His ministries is to “Help” in your “weakness!” Think of someone who has no relationship with the Lord Jesus, who will help them? Where do they turn to for help in their time of weakness, distress, and in their realization of their own weakness!

“IN THE SAME WAY.”

Looks back to Hope that sustains us and so too the Holy Spirit also HELPS us. We read In Romans 15:13, “ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” What a prayer. What Provision of the Holy Spirit to give you Hope that overflows. Not the “hope” of a gambler which is “a hope of chance.” But the Hope of certainty that what He promises He provides! How wonderful. Think on these two Provisions of the Spirit of God to you, HOPE and HELP, supplied by the Holy Spirit !

“THE SPIRIT ALSO HELPS”- 

“HELPS”-{sunantilambanomai }, “from sun/syn = together, + antilambáno = to support, help).

“The word here rendered helps properly means to take part with. It implies, not merely sympathy with, but a personal participation in our infirmity. The Spirit helps our infirmities by sharing them with us.” -{Winslow}

The word speaks of someone coming to the aid of someone in need. To “RESCUE.” It does not mean they take the whole load off and take all the responsibility, but it does mean they help lift the load and lighten the burden and they do this together!  Partners! The word is used of Martha when she told Jesus to tell Mary to “help” her!  “But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” {Luke 10:40}. The idea was not that Martha would stop, but that together with Mary, side by side they could help one another in the doing of the task!

The HOLY SPIRIT comes along not to relieve us immediately of all problems we encounter, though He could, but to help us work through the difficulties and overcome them. He as it were lends a “helping hand.” And what a Hand, He who created the world! Think on that for some “help” you have “In Christ.”  Thayer’s says the word means, “TO TAKE HOLD WITH ANOTHER!” look who is taking hold with you God the Spirit!!

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:1-2). The Hebrew word translated as “Spirit” here is ruach, which also can mean “breath.” The ruach elohim, “the Breath of the Almighty,” is the agent in creation. It is not the immateriality of the Spirit that is in view here, but rather His power and energy; the picture is of God’s energy breathing out creation, as it were, speaking the worlds into existence, putting the stars into space. Thus, when we read Isaiah 40:26 and the question is asked, “Who created these?” we have the answer in Genesis 1:2—the Spirit is the irresistible power by which God accomplishes His purpose.  “-{Ligionare Ministries}

The picture of the word used for “HELP” has been illustrated of a person at one end of a log and another seeing them in need goes to the other end of the heavy log and lifts it not with their back to the person but facing them carrying their end and so finding a solution to the problem. The Holy Spirit sees your need and takes it upon Himself to get under your burden and meet you in the difficulty, face to face! In Colossians 1;  Paul shows us how this works when he says, “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” So The Holy Spirit works IN us to do His Will.  He “helps” us. He meets us with…Himself!

Think of the times you have said, “LORD I don’t even know what to pray, please Help me.” And the Holy Spirit does, He takes  the other end of the Log as it were, and carries it and makes petition to God on our behalf. He knows exactly what to ask for on your behalf to the Glory of God!

The Holy Spirit communicates within the Godhead on our behalf. This is marvelous! HOPE and HELP! What a Prayer Partner the Holy Spirit is!

“WEAKNESS” {Astheneia}. Note it is specific weakness. Singular.

Literally means “without strength, the incapacity to do or experience something.  It refers to in the spiritual realm. This is in part to our “not knowing how to pray.” But look at the beautiful hope and provision for every believer in such a time. The same Greek word is used in Hebrews 4:15- “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses(astheneia), but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Good news indeed it is GOD NEWS… you see you are not alone and not the only one who has faced such a time. For the LORD Himself empathizes, feels the very feelings you are feeling, and He now sitting on the THRONE as Sovereign Lord, King Of Kings bids you come to”RECEIVE… Mercy and grace to ” what? “HELP,”when? “…In time of NEED!” How beautiful, The Holy Spirit and The LORD Jesus are here to “HELP” you! Be encouraged you are not on your own, you are not alone, FOR it is written!

Wuest explains that…

The weakness spoken of here is defined by the context which speaks of prayer, one of the things in the spiritual realm in which our weakness needs His power. The infirmities here therefore are, not physical, but spiritual. The weakness spoken of here is the inability of the saint to know what to pray for. We do know what the general objects of prayer are. But we do not know what the specific, detailed objects of prayer in any given emergency or situation are. (Wuest’s Word Studies)

Ryrie explains that…

The Holy Spirit helps our weakness (our inability to pray intelligently about situations) by praying with unutterable groanings. This is not the gift of tongues, for these groans are not in words. Such intercession is in accord with God’s will (v. 27). (The Ryrie Study Bible:)

Vine says that…

Without the aid of the Holy Spirit our patience would fail and we should succumb to despair. (Collected writings of W. E. Vine.)

Winslow writes…

The word here rendered helps properly means to take part with. It implies, not merely sympathy with, but a personal participation in our infirmity. The Spirit helps our infirmities by sharing them with us.”

 

He cares for you. He is not indifferent, cold- hearted but Divinely in love with you!

Robert Morgan asks…

What kind of weakness? We are weak in many ways, but in this passage the apostle Paul is specific about the particular weakness he is addressing—our prayer lives. We are weak when it comes to prayer. In what way? Well, we are weak in many ways, but here again Paul has something specific in mind. We are weak in our ability to know what we should ask. Many times we really don’t know what we should specifically pray for. We are not omniscient. We don’t know everything, nor can we see into the future. So we don’t know whether the things we’re asking for will turn out good or bad for us.

An old story illustrates: A Chinese gentleman lived on the border of China and Mongolia. In those days, there was constant conflict and strife along the perimeter. The man had a beautiful horse. One day, she leaped over the corral, raced down the road, crossed the border, and was captured by the Mongolians. His friends came to comfort him. “That’s bad news,” they said sadly. “What makes you think it’s bad news?” asked the Chinese gentleman. “Maybe it’s good news.” A few days later the mare came bolting into his corral, bringing with it a massive stallion. His friends crowded around. “That’s good news!” they cried. “What makes you think it’s good news?” he asked. “Maybe it is bad news.” Later, his son, while riding the stallion and trying to break it, was thrown off and broke his leg. “That’s bad news,” cried the friends. “What makes you think it is bad news?” asked the Chinese gentleman. “Maybe it’s good news.” One week later, war broke out with Mongolia, and a Chinese general came through, drafting all the young men. All later perished, except for the young man who couldn’t go because his leg was broken. The man said to his friends, “You see, the things you thought were bad turned out good; and the things you thought were good turned out bad.”

And so at times it is with us too. Have you ever prayed for something and then later looking back and thanked God He did not give it to you as it would not have been good! This is why it is good for us to pray,”Your Name be hallowed, Your Kingdom come in the matter Your will be expressed,” For years one way I have payed from Psalm 135:6. “LORD If it would PLEASE You, would You…” and if it is pleasurable  to Him, He will do it, if not He won’t . But the goal is His pleasure in the matter. I used to try and tell my children to pray this way, “LORD if it would PLEASE You..!”

SOMETIMES WE DO NOT KNOW- WHAT – TO PRAY FOR.

we know we are to pray “without ceasing” which speaks of being alert and turning our thoughts, circumstances to prayer,communing with God. -{Read 1 Thess 5;18}. The alternative to praying is to spiritually faint -{Read Luke 18:1}.

Alford wadds that “The Holy Spirit of God dwelling in us, knowing our wants better than we, Himself pleads in our prayers, raising us to higher and holier desires than we can express in words, which can only find utterance in sighings and aspirations. (Romans 8 Commentary)

God wants us to ask, but there are times when the situation is simply too complex or we are too distraught that we don’t know what to pray for. We have all experienced situations in which we wondered how to pray specifically. We didn’t know what would be best and in the will of God for the specific issue at hand.”

“INTERCEDES”– The word was used to speak of someone bringing a request to a king on behalf of someone else. The word means also to ask with intensity and purpose.

How wonderful when at times we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit who does know exactly what is needed brings that request to the King Of Kings on our behalf.  IT IS A PICTURESQUE WORD to speak of “RESCUE,” someone who comes across someone else in need and pleads in their behalf!  This is what He does for EVERY follower of the LORD Jesus. That includes…. YOU!  Stop… and Think about that! How amazingly loved and cared for you are!

Sometimes we cannot pray aright because we cannot see into the future and the things we see as good might not be. Think of Lot who looked up and  saw this wonderful land ahead of him and chose it and ended up in Sodom and Gomorrah! Sometimes we cannot pray aright because we are not all knowing and because we do not know what is best for us and HIS Glory. Does that men to stop praying. No keep going but there are times when we just do not know, then He comes and He takes the other end of the log, as it were and helps by interceding to The King on our behalf! It should cause us to pause and in awe thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit and His work of interceding for us! Amazing Grace, Even our ‘weakness’ He has promised will work out for good to those who love HIM and are the called.  The good ultimately is to conform us into the image of the Lord Jesus in our thinking, motivation and deeds!

WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAY FOR IN YOUR WEAKNESS…LIFE?

Verse 27 gives us the answer. He prays “…according to the WILL OF GOD.” He knows the mind of God. He prays that in our life that the decisions, actions, circumstances, that are taken are according to His will. What will most magnify Jesus Christ. As Paul said In Philippians 1:20″according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death….”  Jesus Christ be magnified, exalted in you, whether by life or by death!

We Do know that the purpose of our life is to make much of the Lord Jesus, his Name, Fame… His Glory. Note the verses below… 1 Peter 4:11 “Whoever speaks [must do so] as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God’supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To HIM belong GLORY and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may BE GLORIFIED IN YOU, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

“Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”- {John 14:13}

How wonderful, when we are weak, and don’t know what to do, be ASSURED that God has provided you with the HOLY SPIRIT who intercedes for you in praying the will of God in your circumstances that whether by your life or death the LORD Jesus will be GLORIFIED!  The Spirit intercedes for us  as presenting what we need to Glorify God. And the Father grants His prayer for it is “…according to the will of God,” and He will give what is needed for the Glory of God. And He promises to work “all things together for good to those who love God and are the called…”-{Rom 8:28}

The Purpose of prayer is not to get what we want but what God deserves, Glory!

In Romans 8 he lists things that can never separate us from the Love of God who is ‘for us.’ And in suffering and pain at times we do not know what to pray. Paul faced this in Philippians when he said, But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,…-{Phil 1;23-25}. He desired to be with Christ but then again if he remained he could be of help for their growth in faith and joy.

Paul prayed three times for God to take the painful “thorn,” away from him. The word “thorn,” was used of a wooden pale that was used to torture or impale someone. He was suffering and he prayed, for the LORD to take it away. But The LORD wouldn’t. He said “My Grace is sufficient for you. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” -{2 Cor 12:9-10}.  The word ‘sufficient’ means ‘enough’ with the implication of “satisfaction!’ And  that His power was made perfect in weakness. Paul said “When I am weak then I am strong.”  and  gloried in his weakness“-{ Read 2 Cor 12:9-10}.

The Holy Spirit helps us in our “weakness” and His Sufficient grace empowers us in our weakness so we can glory in Him who provides!

At times like Paul we too do not know what He wants but we do know He wants Jesus Christ to be exalted in our body, whether by life or death! There can be times when we suffer or someone else we know, be it illness, suffering for the Gospel, the rebellion of a son ,daughter, parent, grandchild and we face circumstances when we do no know what to do and we groan from the pain of the circumstance, not knowing what to do and the wonderful truth God does not condemn us but He writes v 26-27 to encourage us. He has provided a Helper for us, the Holy Spirit to reside in us and help us by taking us and praying prayers for us “…according to the will of God!”

Walk away from this passage, ENCOURAGED. Whatever the weakness now in not knowing what to pray in the situation BE ASSURED… The Holy Spirit is Right Now PRAYING, INTERCEDING… for you. Taking the request to the King of kings on Your Behalf! And all His prayers get answered because he prays, “…according to the will of God.”

Paul is saying the things we don’t know what to pray that the Holy Spirit within us is asking for us. How beautiful sweet and powerful to Have The Holy Spirit present our plea’s

In the passage there is three sets of “Groaning’s.” Creation, us and the Holy Spirit.

“and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”-{Romans 8:27}.

Note; He prays “…according to the will of God. “ There are things we do not have to pray about because the Word of GOD REVEALS THE WILL OF GOD to us such as do not commit adultery. But there are things we don’t know what to do but be assured the HOLY SPIRIT takes our prayers and aligns them to the will of GOD in offering them on behalf. All His Prayers are answered because The Spirit of God knows the will of GOD for us and intercedes to that end!

Keep praying. Indeed PRAYER Is hard at times {Read Phil 4;12}; We are to pray because it is His Will for us. -{1 Thess 5:18.}. We pray because we are commanded and as we obey His WORD we express love to Him.”…Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me.” -{John 14:21}. We pray otherwise we will spiritually faint.-{Luke 18;1}. We pray because He hears us and answers prayers according to His WILL. ” This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.“- {Read 1 John 5:14-15;Matthew 6:6-8; }

“But if you are praying unknowingly for something that is not His will, you can trust that the Spirit will take your prayers and line them up with God’s perfect will. This gracious truth, that the Holy Spirit tenderly prays for us in our weakness, should cause us to persevere in prayer, especially in times of trial.”- {Steven Cole}

” When you feel very weak, because of suffering or decay or sickness or futility or persecution or failed plans or baffling decisions, don’t despair, as if God is angry with you or at your inability to know what to do or what to pray. At that very moment, experience the wordless groanings of your heart as groanings for the glory of Christ. And trust the Spirit of God to intercede for you about the specifics. Trust him, that because he is praying for you, your Father will bring about decisions and circumstances that will magnify Christ in the best way – in the very midst of your ignorance and groaning. What a gracious and merciful God we have. He has planned for all our weakness and nothing can separate us from his love!”- {John Piper}

How wonderful that we have not only HOPE but HELP supplied by the Holy Spirit for us in times of weakness.He specifically, intimately, lovingly helps us.

This is God’s PROMISE TO US-

The Promise of Hope

and Help from the Holy Spirit!

Count on Him!