"The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
- Romans 8:26 NIV
The Holy Spirit is given to us as a "Comforter", a "Counselor", and a "Guide" (John 14-16).
Even when we have no idea what to pray, He comforts our hearts, cousels our thinking, and guides our speaking. The word "intercede" basically means to "stand in the gap" or to appear on behalf of another. We can intercede for others or even places. When we ourselves are weak and at a loss for expressing ourselves, the Holy Spirit Himself will intercede for us on our behalf.
"Groans that words cannot express" refers to the language of the Holy Spirit crying out to God for us (or others). This may be expressed as simple utterances to deep crying travail. When words fail us, the Holy Spirit enables us to express our inner turmoils and outer fears while also doing the same for others.
If we will practice these three aspects of prayer, (communication with God, intercession, and the language of the Holy Spirit), we will walk in an even deeper relationship with God and find greater strength to face all that the world and the enemy brings against us.
Amen!!!
