In the same way [as the Spirit blesses us in so many ways in our lives], the Spirit [also] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
Sometimes, our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling like BBs and fall to the floor, rattling around under our feet and tripping us up in mockery of our requests. Other times, we are overcome with emotion, and the words of our prayers can't begin to capture what's crashing around in our hearts. Thanks be to God for the assurance that the power of our prayers is not dependent upon the choice of our words but upon his grace given us by the Holy Spirit's intercession. The Holy Spirit presents our requests - our words, our emotions, and even the things beyond our words and emotions - and he does so to God powerfully and acceptably, no matter what comes out of our hearts and mouths!
My Prayer...
Holy God and loving Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, through whom I have the ultimate assurance that you hear and accept my words, thoughts, emotions, and even the conflicts of my heart when I pray. In Jesus' name, I thank you for this grace. Amen.
"Dear Father, praiseworthy God, Help me set my mind only on things that are true, that are noble, right, pure and lovely, things that are worthy of....."
"A very important question this seemed to be to the king of Judah, and possibly it is of even more weight with the tried and tempted O Christian. To..."
"On the way [to the Mount of Olives], Jesus told [the apostles], "Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,
'God will strike the....."
![Illustration of Romans 8:26-27 — In the same way [as the Spirit blesses us in so many ways in our lives], the Spirit [also] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/1346.jpg "Illustration of Romans 8:26-27 — In the same way [as the Spirit blesses us in so many ways in our lives], the Spirit [also] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.")
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