by Neema Joshua | 22 October 2019 08:46 pm10
Romans 8:26–28 (ESV) –
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
No matter how skilled we are in speaking, how gifted we are in expressing words, or how much we know the Scriptures, before God, none of us truly know how to pray as we should. Even if we feel we are praying perfectly, without the Holy Spirit, our prayers are limited in their effectiveness.
Even pastors, prophets, teachers, or bishops with decades of spiritual experience cannot fully pray as they ought without the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 reminds us: “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” The Holy Spirit is essential; without Him, our prayers fall short.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prayer
The Holy Spirit is our Helper (Paraclete). When we pray, our petitions may be weak or incomplete, but the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf directly to God. Our spoken words may be few or imperfect, yet the Spirit communicates them perfectly in the heart of God. This divine intercession transforms ordinary prayer into a powerful encounter with God.
John 16:7–8 –
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”
Without the Holy Spirit, our words—even if well-prepared and eloquent—may not reach the hearts of those we seek to impact spiritually. But with the Spirit’s power, a simple message can touch hearts deeply, convicting of sin and drawing people to Christ.
The Spirit Empowers Evangelism
A preacher filled with the Holy Spirit may appear hesitant or unskilled in speech, yet the Spirit works through them to reach the hearts of those outside Christ. The Spirit amplifies the message, moving people to repentance even when human effort alone would fail. This is the same principle by which the Spirit aids us in prayer: He takes our weak petitions and presents them powerfully before God.
Receiving the Holy Spirit
To receive the Holy Spirit, the Bible provides a clear path: repentance, baptism, and faith in Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:37–39 –
“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.’”
Repentance involves turning away from a life of sin—such as drunkenness, sexual immorality, hatred, witchcraft, or other sinful behaviors. Genuine repentance and faith in Christ lead to forgiveness, baptism, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who then becomes our Helper and guide.
The Incomparable Comfort of the Holy Spirit
There is no true comfort, guidance, or intercession comparable to the Holy Spirit. In prayer, evangelism, or daily living, He is our advocate, counselor, and empowerer. Without Him, even the most well-structured prayers are ineffective.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/10/22/the-spirit-helps-us-pray-when-we-do-not-know-how-to-express-ourselves/
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