How Does the Spirit Pray for Us?
the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26
Prayer is central to the Christian life. Along with Scripture it forms our twofold life-breath: we take in the word like air and exhale prayer. Prayer is doubly instinctive for believers, once by nature (for all mankind automatically prays to God when in distress) and a second time by the eternal life of God which we receive in redemption. But praying can be difficult. We need help. And what do you know? Our friend the Apostle Paul has good news: God has sent us a prayer Helper.
The Spirit of God himself aids us in our prayers when we don’t know what to say or how to say it—that is, when we experience groanings and longings which we cannot seem to express in words. Leon Morris writes, “Paul is simply referring to the fact that we who are Christians are not the spiritual giants we would like to be (and sometimes imagine we are), We are weak.” But not to worry. The Spirit takes our weak prayers and unspeakable longings and presents them perfectly to our Heavenly Father for us.