“…the Spirit also 1HELPS in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we should, 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. And we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD to those WHO LOVE GOD, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:26-28) 1sunantilambanomai: to take hold with another. The Holy Spirit “takes ahold” of what we are trying to accomplish for the Lord and helps us “complete” the task.
Notice, in fact, the way that the Spirit helps us in our weakness, namely, by praying for us, making intercession for us. Intercessory prayer is the act of praying on behalf of others. Jesus bridged the gap between us and God when He died on the cross. Because of Jesus’ intervention, we can now intercede in prayer on behalf of other Christians or for the lost, asking God to grant their requests according to His will.
Now what does the Spirit ask for when He intercedes for us? There are three ways in which the text points to answer this question:
- The Spirit asks for things that we don’t know we should ask for. Verse 26: “We do not know what we should pray for what we must.”
- The Spirit asks for things that we don’t know to ask for because of our weakness. Verse 26: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.”
- The Spirit asks for things that are in accord with the will of God. Verse 27b: “He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is FOR US, WHO can be AGAINST US? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for US ALL, how shall He not with Him also FREELY give us ALL THINGS?” (Rom. 8:31-32)
-Bill Stockham