“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We don’t know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans… The Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Rom. 8:26–27
Heavenly Father, this passage is a well-timed gift for me today, as I’m feeling ambivalent—mixed emotions, and conflicted—contradictory emotions. As the day begins, I have this smorgasbord of feelings greeting me—gratitude, wariness, hope, anger, restlessness, encouragement, and insecurity. The good news is, I’m actually feeling “stuff.” The best news is, I belong to you.
I’m especially grateful the verses we’re praying through today tell us your Spirit is much more than our “prayer partner” or prayer energizer. He prays in us and for us all the time. Sometimes we lack both the motivation to pray, and are clueless about what to pray … and that is really okay. We can’t always sing, “I’ve got a peaceful, easy feeling,” but we can always sing, “He will hold me fast.” Thank you, Abba.
The pressure is off, for the Gospel calls us to think of ourselves less as “prayer-warriors,” and more as “grace-needers.” Thank you for the “wordless groans” of the Spirit at work in our hearts today. These groans mean we’re not just immature whiners, but also dependent worshippers—and that is a really good thing.
Abba, help us to be patient in our weakness, restful in our trust, and expectant of your provision. Personally, you know my default mode is to push through, hurry up, and move on. I’m not going there this time. I’m in a teachable mood and mode, and I sense you have much to show and tell me. Thank you, and So Very Amen.