Romans 8:26-28 – Praying By The Spirit

Romans 8:26-28

“[26] 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. [27] 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. [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

What’s The Point?

We are over halfway through Romans 8, and there has been lots of good news so far. Condemnation has been removed, we are free from the law because of Christ, and the Spirit now dwells inside of us. We know there will still be difficulty and suffering, but God is going to use our sufferings to teach us. And lest we think, “This is too hard!” We now read in v. 26 that the Spirit who dwells in us, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, is helping us and interceding for us (interceding means that the Spirit is going before the Father on our behalf).

So, we have everything we need to be saved. We can be confident that we will ultimately be glorified in heaven because of the work of Christ. And our earthly, physical existence has also been changed by our spiritual reality. Jesus did not do everything necessary for our salvation and then leave us on our own. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

This passage is specifically talking about how the Spirit helps us in how we pray. First off, the fact that we have a direct line of communication with God is crazy! We never have to worry about intruding or if he is too busy or if he is willing to listen. He is always ready to hear our prayers.

We have this open access, but in what way do our prayers need help? Well, for starters, we are sinful people living in a broken world; it only takes a minute of watching the news to see that the world needs a lot of help and we have no idea how to fix it. Also, we don’t know the future, but God does. We often don’t know what’s best, and even when we do, we don’t do it. Let’s just be honest, our prayers need a lot of help.

Sometimes our prayers are weak because we don’t pray much, but the Spirit is in constant, eternal fellowship with the Father.  Sometimes our prayers are weak because we don’t know what God wants or how to pray in a certain situation, but the Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will and knows every situation perfectly. Basically, every weakness of our sin-affected body and mind is overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.

This brings us to the verse from which this study gets part of its name. V. 28 is an anchor of hope for believers. We do not know why everything happens in this life, but here is the hope—God does. God knows your situation better than you do. He understands the details of your life more fully than you do. And, not only is his understanding and knowledge greater than ours, but his ability to work and effect change is greater than ours as well.

God is omniscient and omnipotent—those are just big words that mean all-knowing and all-powerful. We are lacking in both knowledge and power, so it makes a lot of sense to leave things in God’s hands. That is the challenge from this passage—trust God with every aspect of your life. If you have put your trust in Christ, then you can know that whatever happens to you will be for your good. Trust that the God who created you and breathed life into you will also care for you and knows what is best for you.

Scripture Memorization

Romans 8:28

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

Prayer

Holy Spirit, teach me how to pray. My mind drifts so easily, and it is easier for me to be distracted than to focus in prayer. I confess that I am weak; I know that you will help me pray. Please work in my heart and mind to draw my thoughts and intentions to you. I know that you are my Helper; help me to trust the plans of the Lord. Help me to trust in his power and plan. Help me to know that even in hard times he is working all things for my good.

Reflection

1. What does it mean that the “Spirit helps in our weakness,” and “the Spirit intercedes for us?”
2. Do you really believe that all things “work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose?” What does this mean?
3. What is your biggest weakness in your walk with Christ? Spend time praying God would strengthen and help you.

Discussion Questions

1. This passage says the Spirit helps us, but why do we need the Spirit’s help?
2. Share with one another about your prayer lives. Do you pray? How often? Is it a struggle? What are things that have helped your prayer life?
3. When we think of something being good it usually has to do with our comfort. How is God’s definition of good different than ours?