Romans 8:26-27

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.

We’ve already touched on Ephesians 6:17-18, where Paul exhorts us to use the words of God as we pray “on all occasions” in the Spirit. In Romans 8, Paul tells us why we need to pray this way; very simply, “we do not know what we ought to pray for.” Let that thought sink in. Have you ever prayed for something, and realized months or years later, that if God had granted your request, you might be in a heap of trouble!? God, who is ALL-KNOWING, lives inside of us by His Spirit, and that Spirit works with our short-sighted spirit to help us form prayers. I’ve experienced dozens of times an URGE to pray in a given situation for a particular person, and then found out later that GOD HAD PLACED THAT URGE ON MY SPIRIT TO PRAY AT THE EXACT TIME THAT PERSON WAS GOING THROUGH A MAJOR TRIAL. It is almost like God is actually praying to Himself through us! The fact is that ALL prayer should be this way! Quite often, as I begin to pray, I’ll whisper something like… “Holy Spirit, I don’t know what to pray! Please pray through me what the Father wants to do in this situation.” In God’s economy of prayer (Matthew 18:18-20) it is as if HE will not do something unless it is first prayed for on Earth – it’s like He wants to telegraph His intentions in advance, and is simply waiting for some person of faith to become activated by His Spirit in prayer before He acts!

List the “weaknesses” we have in praying on our own without the Spirit’s help.

What are some hindrances that we might construct in our lives that will keep us from “praying in the Spirit”?

Could it be said that “real” prayer that originates from God, is always miraculous, no matter how small?