Bible passage:
Romans 8: 16-30, 33, 34 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
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 what is 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. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
I am sure all of us would have at one point or the other thought about these questions - Why is there suffering? How can one escape suffering? How can one endure suffering? Where is God when one suffers?
For any Christian, the highest honor is the position of being a child of God. God promises to give us this incomprehensible glory provided we suffer with Christ. Paul immediately clarifies that the extent of our sufferings is so minuscule in comparison to the marvelous glory that will be revealed. We do know these things in our head, and we do hope for these things in our heart. We groan for the redemption of our bodies. We groan to be rid of this broken world. Yet, we say, 'I cannot bear it', and 'I do not know what to do'. This is when we see the ministry of the Holy Spirit shining bright.
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness - when we cannot bear it. The All-knowing Holy Spirit helps us in our ignorance also - when we do not know what we ought to pray for. The Spirit groans for us in accordance with the will of God. We should be careful to note that the Holy Spirit doesn't pray INSTEAD of us. He HELPS us by Himself interceding for us.
Now then, what confidence we have when we know that Jesus is at Father's right hand interceding for us, and the Spirit is indwelling in us, interceding for us! Also, what encouragement we have to know that the Spirit groans for us! All the emotions we feel, the pain and the brokenness, the crushing and the persecution felt are shared with the very Spirit of God who groans alongside us.
Let us then learn about intercession from the Spirit: When someone suffers and feels weak, we need to be there for them emotionally. We need to intercede for them - in accordance with God's will.
Prayer points:
Praise God for His Spirit that indwells in us, interceding for us. Pray that we never forget this amazing reality and that this will encourage us in our prayer life.
Pray that we will not quench the Spirit, or grieve Him.
Pray that in our sufferings, we will learn to cherish this ministry of the Holy Spirit, and align our prayers with His groaning, which is in accordance with God's will and for His glory.
Pray that in our intercessory prayers for those around us, we too will learn from the Spirit to groan for them, and to ask for God's wisdom to pray for them in accordance with His will.
If you can, try memorizing Romans 8: 26 and 27.
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