Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV): Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, 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.
The word 'helps' here in Greek is 'sunantilambanomai', which actually means 'to take hold of the opposite together'. Notice the word 'together' here. You know what it means? The Holy Spirit is here 'together' with you, helping you when you do not know what to pray (in words you understand), or when you run out of words to pray.
Another meaning of this word 'helps' is 'to cooperate' (refer Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). It means 'you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit cooperates with you'. It is about 'working together'. So, it's obvious that 'helps' here doesn't mean you do nothing and let Him do everything. No, it doesn't work this way. It takes your participation as well, i.e. to open your mouth & use your own voice, and that's when you allow the Holy Spirit to pray through you!
Have there been times you wonder if you've prayed correct prayers? Or foolish prayers?
Or you wonder how specific your prayer should be?
Or you wonder if it's insulting to God to pray so specifically? (as if He doesn't know your every need/want)
You may even have asked, "Have I been too selfish to pray this way?"
Have you ever faced the dilemma of "What God thinks is best for me" versus "What I think is best for me"?
The above can be in any area of your life, e.g. praying for your future, praying for a life partner, praying for a job, etc.
How many times when you pray, you pray amiss? (and your prayers went unanswered)
And you wonder why someone else always gets his/her prayers answered!
Be anxious not, because I believe Romans 8:26-27 has the answer to all the above. May you begin to pray perfect prayers, i.e. prayers that 'hit the mark'!
Romans 8:26 also says, 'the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us...'. In Greek, it actually means 'the Spirit Himself intercedes on behalf of us'. To 'intercede' is to 'act as intermediary, mediating'. For example, when two parties have differences, 'interceding' is done to settle the differences. You know what it means? This verse says Holy Spirit helps you to 'settle the differences' between 'what God thinks is best' and 'what you think is best'!
You may not know what you are praying when you pray in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:14), but you can trust in His goodness (for you) every time you pray in the Spirit. You may ask, "What if I get 'shortchanged' when I pray this way?" No, you'll never get 'shortchanged'. Jeremiah 29:11 says 'His thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace, that give you a future and a hope.' Let's take Him at His word! He always has the best in store for you, even in ways you know not of! (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Romans 8:27 then says, "He makes intercession for the saints (i.e. the believers) according to the will of God". Notice the word 'for' here. It means the Holy Spirit is always working for you, i.e. for your good, and ensuring you have the best, i.e. walking in the perfect will of God! To walk in the perfect will of God is to walk in the fullness of His destiny for your life. And His will & destiny for you is that 'you should prosper and be in perfect health, just as your soul prospers' (3 John 2)
1 John 5:14-15 says, "if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us... And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions (i.e. requests/things we asked for) that we have asked of Him".
Of course, there is also a place for praying with the understanding (i.e. praying in the language you know). See 1 Corinthians 14:14-18. But, sometimes, you know praying this way has a limit, because you don't always know everything. Only the Holy Spirit knows everything. For example, there have been times upon waking up from a dream, I wasn't very sure how to pray with the understanding, and that's when the Holy Spirit 'helps' in my 'weaknesses' when I pray in the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit also 'helps' you whenever you sense a danger, or if you are awaken in the middle of the night (say, from a nightmare). Pray in the Spirit till you have a sense of release/peace, or when the burden is lifted. You may even have prevented a calamity from happening by praying in the Spirit!
In conclusion, and for your references, these are some of the verses on praying in the Spirit (i.e. praying in tongues) found in the Bible:
1 Corinthians 14:4: When you pray in the Spirit, your 'self' (i.e. your spirit, soul, and body - 1 Thessalonians 5:23) is being edified/energized.
1 Corinthians 14:14: When you pray in the Spirit, it is your spirit that prays. Your spirit is activated and it dominates your whole being.
1 Corinthians 14:2: When you pray in the Spirit, you are speaking unto God.
Acts 10:46: When you pray in the Spirit, you are magnifying God.
Jude 20: Praying in the Spirit builds your 'self' (i.e. your spirit, soul, body) up on your most holy faith.
Ephesians 6:18: Praying in the Spirit is part of your spiritual weapon against the devil.
Romans 8:26: Praying in the Spirit helps you in your prayer life.
Romans 8:27: Praying in the Spirit is praying in the perfect will of God.
Ephesians 5:18-19: Praying in the Spirit helps you in your worship life, and as you sing unto the Lord.
Isaiah 28:11-12: Praying in the Spirit brings 'rest and refresh' to your spirit and soul.
Be blessed with this wonderful gift from the Lord!
If you want to be filled in the Holy Spirit, desire and ask for it now (see Luke 11:13).
Pray this way: "Lord, I ask You to fill me with the Holy Spirit. I receive right now. I fully expect to speak with other tongues as You give me the utterance" (Acts 2:4).
Begin thanking and praising God for filling you with the Holy Spirit. Speak the words/syllables as you receive, not in your own language, but in the language given to you by the Holy Spirit. God will not force you to speak. So, you have to use your own voice. Continue worshiping and praising Him in this heavenly language, i.e. in other tongues.
As you continue with this blessing God has given you and pray in the Spirit each day, I trust your life will never be the same again!
