Romans 8:26 – 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.
In verses 18-25, we discovered that Holy Spirit (a gift given to the adopted children of God under the provisions of the gospel) sustains the soul of the Christian during their earthly trials/tribulations by providing them with a sure hope of future deliverance from sin. 
This final deliverance will be evident when we receive the complete redemption of our bodies - when Christ raises us from the dead and changes our mortal bodies so they are fit for life in heaven.
In verses 26-27, we will see the strength and support/aid given to us by Holy Spirit to sustain us during the difficulties of this life. This priceless help stands in opposition to the law, which is powerless to assist us during our struggles.
GENERAL SUMMARY: When Christians experience great trials and do not know what type of relief to pray for, we have the comfort of knowing that Holy Spirit intercedes for us. He does this by means of an internal work; he inspires us to groan or cry or pray according to the will of God. Because he influences us to pray for the true will of God, we can be assured that God will grant our petitions.
DIGGING DEEPER: Likewise: ‘Likewise’ is a connective word. It draws a comparison between the spiritual truth in verses 18-25 and the current statements of Paul.
In the prior verses (18-25), we discovered that the reality of the future complete redemption of our bodies is a source of encouragement (hope) that sustains us in times of affliction or difficulty. This source of strength is available to any believer who chooses to fill their mind/understanding with the word of God.
Here’s how it works: As you meditate on the truth of God’s word, Holy Spirit works through your faith to firmly implant that word into your heart. Once that promise takes root, hope is produced and it gives you the strength and courage to continue in your Christian walk regardless of your circumstances. Clearly, this form of support is a partnership between the Christian and Holy Spirit.
In the same way, Holy Spirit is our divine partner in prayer.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness: As Christians, we MUST exercise control over our minds. We should be filling them with the truth of the word of God, which includes the promises of future redemption and salvation. Exercising control of our minds is actually a form of spiritual warfare:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
But as we all know, we can never rely solely on our own strength. If that was all we had to depend on, we would quickly sink under the burdens of life. But thankfully, God has given us Holy Spirit as our divine, ever-present, ever-comforting companion and helper!
Paul tells us that Holy Spirit helps or supports us when we are spiritually weak. Specifically, the word translated ‘help’ literally means ‘the assistance that any two persons gain from each other, as they mutually bear or carry the same load between them.’ Again, we see the partnership between the Christian and Holy Spirit.
Can you think of a time when you were unable to accomplish something on your own, but someone else helped you get the job done?
The first thought that pops into my mind was the last time I got a new computer. I did my best to set it up correctly, but mistakes were made and errors abounded! I had no idea what to do next; I fervently regretted buying the new laptop, even though it was a necessity!
In the midst of my frustration, my daughter-in-law offered to assist me. She helped me correct the errors and understand some of the computer’s new functions. It wasn’t long until the new computer was working perfectly. In fact, I am using it right now to write this blog!
Similarly, there is no Christian who is strong enough or knowledgeable enough to successfully walk their earthly journey alone. All of us need the divine help of Holy Spirit in order to be victorious in our Christian walk/duties.
Before we get into the specifics of how Holy Spirit helps us in prayer, let’s just remind ourselves that we are discussing a partnership – when we do our part, Holy Spirit comes alongside and does what we cannot do. Hence, the Christian who prays receives help from the Spirit of God, but the one who does not pray receives no help.
Think of it this way: As we wait for our full redemption, we must wait both passively and actively. We wait passively by reminding ourselves that the day is coming and by rejoicing in that knowledge. We wait actively by doing the will of God here on earth – by praying, proclaiming the gospel, doing good works, etc.
In the midst of all our weaknesses and trials, Holy Spirit is with us. He gives us the patience to wait, the strength to bear our burdens and the energy to pursue our appointed kingdom tasks/ministries regardless of our circumstances.
In other words, Holy Spirit isn’t going to do the work for you. But if you step up and engage in prayer (or any other kingdom work), he will come alongside you and assist you until you obtain victory.
For we do not know what to pray for as we ought: Now let’s talk specifically about prayer. Prayer is both a duty and a privilege. There are many aspects to prayer that we understand clearly: 
- We know that we pray to God in the name of Jesus.
- We know that we are to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17).
- We know that we are to pray in faith with perseverance and humility (I Timothy 2:8, Matthew 21:22).
- We know that we are to pray for all men; both our fellow saints (Ephesians 6:18) and our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
- We know that we can come boldly before the throne of God in prayer (Hebrews 4:16).
- We know the model prayer that Jesus gave the disciples as a guide (Luke 11:1-4).
Nevertheless, we often do not know exactly how to pray (what to specifically ask for) in regards to the things of this life. There are several reasons for this:
One: We are still under the influence of our old man/fallen nature. While we are the redeemed sons and daughters of God, our redemption is not yet complete; we are still influenced by sin. We tend to pray for things that make us more comfortable, or that make our lives easier, or that provide more benefits for us in this life rather than in the next. We also have a strong tendency to pray for things that feed our pride or vanity.
Two: We do not always know what would be best for us. Based on our limited perspective of life, we may be praying for a situation to turn out in a specific way, but that resolution may not be the best thing for us. Only God can see the future; he might be using that situation to steer you in a different direction.
Three: We often pray for deliverance, instead of praying for victory. At one time or another all of us have prayed for some situation to just ‘go away’. But the reality is that God keeps us there for a season in order to bring about something good (spiritual growth, understanding of kingdom principles, suffering for his kingdom, etc.).
Four: We tend to pray for something that others have instead of what God has prepared for us. If you have multiple children, you know that each one of them is unique. They all have different talents and capabilities. That is true in the family of God as well. If you are busy praying for a ministry just like Mr. or Mrs. Jones, you are missing the boat. You are unique. God has given you a set of talents, skills, capabilities and opportunities that no one else possesses. Don’t pray to be like someone else or to have a ministry like someone else – pray to discover the unique plan that God has for you!
Five: We are sometimes hindered in our prayers because we are ignorant of God’s character and/or the principles of his kingdom. For example, we might be diligently praying for God to give us an increase in wealth, when all we really need is to do is follow kingdom principles – honor God with your tithes, give to the poor, go to work and live within your means.
Another example is faith. We might be praying for more faith, but that is a wrong prayer. Scripture tells us that faith comes by hearing/meditating on the word, and by exercising the faith we already have.
Six: Sometimes we desperately need help in prayer because we are blinded by our current circumstances. If we are in the midst of intense pain, or a devastating circumstance, or if we have been blind-sided by the actions of another person, we may be so overwhelmed that we don’t have the first clue what we should be asking for.
Furthermore, we are often subject to doubts about whether or not we are praying for certain situations correctly (whether our prayers are pleasing to God or not).
All things considered, we would be liable to endless mistakes in our prayer lives if not for the assistance of the Spirit. Thankfully, he comes along side us and bears the burden of prayer with us, using his power to help us bring our petitions before the throne of grace.
But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words: Holy Spirit makes intercession for us by helping us to pray. He reveals what we should pray for and then assists us in finding suitable expressions for our prayers.
When we turn to him for help, he will touch us deep within our hearts. As we lean into him, he shows us our true need, and then stirs us up to pray. At times he will put words in our mouths (suggest to us how to pray or what to ask for). He will remind us of promises in the bible which we can stand on or use for direction. As we are praying, he causes faith to rise up within us, which fuels a spirit of fervency and results in boldness to come into the throne room of God to obtain the answers/help that we need.
At other times, Holy Spirit touches our hearts in such a way that we do not pray with normal words. When our prayers are too deep and too intense for words, they often come in the form of a sigh, a sob/tears, a groan/cry straight from the heart, or even as a silent plea (like Hannah – I Samuel 1:13), as opposed to intelligent speech.
He stirs up tears/sighs/groanings within our hearts when we are unable to fully or clearly express what we need because of how great our burdens or needs are. When that happens, we know that these utterances are prompted by the Spirit himself; it is he who is praying to God for us. In these situations, our groaning is heard by God, understood by God and will be answered by God.
Holy Spirit also helps us to pray through our heavenly prayer language. All Christians have the opportunity for Jesus to baptize them in Holy Spirit.
Mark 1:8 – I [John the Baptist] indeed have baptized you with water: but he [Jesus] shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
When that occurs, we are given a personal heavenly prayer language. This is referred to as speaking in tongues and it is one of the gifts of the Spirit.
Acts 19:6 - And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
When you speak in tongues, it isn’t a language you understand. But that’s okay. By yielding yourself to the Spirit, he is able to pray through you; he will intercede on your behalf and ask God for the exact thing you need.
All Christians need to be reminded that even when we aren’t perfect in our prayers, God still hears us. Whether we are praying in a language we understand, or with groanings or in a heavenly language, God hears us – and he answers.
Psalm 65:2 - O you that hears prayer, unto you shall all flesh come.
God guarantees that those who seek him with a humble and sincere heart will always find him; we never seek him in vain.
Isaiah 45:19 – I [God] have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the descendants of Jacob, Seek me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 - Then shall you call upon me [God], and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, says the LORD…
Romans 8:27 – 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.
GENERAL SUMMARY: We have full confidence that God recognizes the voice of his own Spirit; the prayers that the Spirit prompts us to pray are in strict accordance with God’s will. Thus, we have full confidence that our prayers are correct (pleasing to God and good for us) and they will be answered.
DIGGING DEEPER: And he who searches hearts: God is the one who made our hearts and minds; he and he alone is able to fully search the heart of each person. Angels cannot do it, mankind cannot do it, and even we ourselves cannot fully know our own hearts. Only God thoroughly and perfectly understands all of our thoughts and motivations.
For the children of God, this is a very good thing. Sometimes we intend to do good but we fail or our actions backfire. At other times, the world judges us as insincere. But in all cases, God can judge us accurately because he can see what is in our hearts.
Jeremiah 17:10 - I the LORD search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.
Knows what is the mind of the Spirit: God approves, favors and is pleased with the mind of the (his) Spirit. As we just noted, God does not need for our deepest emotions to be expressed in human language. He is able to know and understand the anxious feelings of the soul expressed by his Spirit through us. He is ready to aid and bless us in those requests.
Because the Spirit intercedes for the saints: To intercede on behalf of someone else is to mediate or negotiate; to plead the case of one party to another for the purpose of reconciliation.
Jesus intercedes for every Christian by negotiating or managing all the affairs that pertain to our salvation (Hebrews 7:25). Holy Spirit also intercedes for us, but in a different way. He directs our prayers by influencing our hearts/minds (II Corinthians 5:2-5) so that we pray according to the will of God for us. And when we pray according to his will, we receive exactly what is best for us.
According to the will of God: Prayers that are offered through the work of the Spirit are according to the intention, design or plan of God. Thus, all the prayers or groanings uttered by the Spirit are pleasing to God.
Whether we pray with words, groans, sighs, tears or even silent cries, God understands us because he is one with the Son and Spirit; he fully understands the language of these prayers regardless of what form they take. Because the desires/urges that the Spirit places within our hearts are in perfect harmony with the will of God, we know will receive the answer we need.
1 John 5:14-15 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we desired of him.
We might think of it this way: Holy Spirit can be said to supervise the prayers of the saints. This does not mean that we will never ask an improper prayer, or that we will always get what we want when we want it. Rather, it means that in so far as we yield ourselves to Holy Spirit, he will provide general supervision or guidance over our minds and help us to pray according to the will of God, which in turn gives us the answer we need.
Let me offer you some encouragement and some relief:
In today’s post we noted that we are in a partnership with Holy Spirit. When we pray, he shares the burden with us and assists us in making our requests. However, he will never do the work for us. If we don’t pray, there is nothing he can do to aid us.
With this in mind, take a few moments to take an honest look at your prayer life:
Do you pray consistently? Do your prayers center mostly on comfort in this life or are you seeking to be used in God’s kingdom? Have you consciously asked Holy Spirit to help you pray for God’s will in your life? Do you have a personal heavenly prayer language?
Based on today’s post and your answers to these questions, I encourage you to consider making some changes in your prayer life. When we get to the day of final redemption, you’ll be glad you did!
Let me offer you some strength:
As Christians, we should never, ever, EVER underestimate or take for granted the help available to us through Holy Spirit. Next to our salvation, his presence in our lives is the best gift we have ever received.
If you’ve neglected your relationship with Holy Spirit, please make it a priority to get to know him better. Search the scriptures to find out who he is, what he does and how he can help you. Invite him to be a part of your everyday life. Ask him for guidance, wisdom, help in prayer and strength to meet the challenges of your Christian life. I guarantee he will be there for you!