Let the Holy Spirit Help You to Pray
ICS Daily Devotions
Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15a (NKJV) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.
Scripture reveals to us that we are three-part beings, comprising spirit, soul, and body. Our spirit man is the part that is born again when we receive Christ into our lives. Because God is Spirit, He prompts, counsels, and guides us through our spirit man. Therefore, we need to be sensitive to Him through our spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in us, communicates with us, and prays through our spirit.
Intercession is a form of prayer. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in a prayer language that comes from our hearts. Praying in the Spirit enables us to express the cries of our hearts that we cannot articulate. It is a deep, divine communication between the Holy Spirit and the Heavenly Father. It also aligns our prayer with God’s will. This allows us to rest, knowing that God has the best plan for us.
It is a good spiritual discipline to pray in the Spirit and in understanding every day. We pray in a known language when we pray with understanding, and we pray in tongues when we pray in the Spirit. We cannot understand speaking in tongues with our natural mind because it is a supernatural gift from God. Therefore, we should not despise it or dismiss it as empty babbling simply because our minds cannot comprehend it. In fact, praying in the Spirit allows Him to help us to pray when we are weak or when God places a burden in our hearts. When we do not know why, for whom, or what the burden is about, we can begin praying in tongues and partner with Him in prayer by yielding to Him. He will pray with us and through us until there is a release and the burden is lifted.
As New Testament believers, we can partner with the Holy Spirit as He intercedes with groanings through tongues when we cannot articulate our prayers, according to the will of God. Therefore, we should allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us freely, even if we are uncomfortable or unaware of what He is praying through us in tongues.
Reflection: Do you sometimes struggle to pray because you don’t know how or can’t find the right words? How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to partner with Him in a deeper way when you pray?
Sermon Series: The Holy Spirit is our best stress release valve
