Romans 8:26 study

Notice the activity of God in this passage. We are weak, God helps us in that weakness.

Romans 8:26 ESV

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.

Just got done discussing how the whole creation has been subjected to futility, and how creation is in pain. We are often bogged down with so much pain, so much difficulty.

This is a really exciting passage, because in the midst of pain and difficulty, we have help.

There are times in life where things go so sideways that you won’t even know how to take a step forward. Even if you are convinced that God answers prayers, you don’t even know what to ask for in order for him to answer it. You could fully want God’s will to happen in your circumstance, but there will be times that you don’t even know what that is.

Have you ever been talking with someone who was sharing something with you that was so devastating that you didn’t know what to say or how to respond? Sometimes all you can do is groan with them. Sometimes there aren’t any words to describe what they are going through, sometimes a circumstance won’t be able to be communicated through words. Those moments feel overwhelming.

The good news here is that the Spirit himself is with you and is praying for you. The Holy Spirit himself is groaning with you as he prays for your soul with sentiments that can’t be put into words.

And here is some more good news- we can be sure that the Holy Spirit always says the best prayers.

Romans 8:27 ESV

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.

Why is this good news? What kinds of prayers does God answer?

There have been times where I have spent time praying without using any words. There have been times where I have been praying and just groaning to myself and spending time in the presence of God. And you know what? In those moments, words aren’t even necessary. God himself knows every detail of how you are feeling, and he loves you through every bit of it. The Spirit makes sure that our communication to God is perfect and holy.

How does this change the way you view prayer?

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

The fact that God is working all things together for good is connected to the reality that the Spirit of god is praying God’s will for us.

This doesn’t mean we will always get our way, but it does mean that God will always get his way, and that is even better.

This means that whatever difficulty comes, doesn’t mean that God hasn’t gotten his way. There will be times where it seems like the devil has won, or sin has dominated us. The truth is that God always gets his way, but that might be really hard for us to see in the moment.

How do we explain bad stuff working out for good?

This is connected to the reality that God is outside of time and already knows the end.

Romans 8:29–30 ESV

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.