For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (23)Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (24) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? (25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (26) 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 groaning which cannot be uttered. (27) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the Spirit is, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The letter to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul. His intent is clear – that the Spirit teaches how rightly to pray. When we do know how to rightly pray the Spirit intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words and helps our weakness in prayer; the connection is with hope . He wants us to feel encouraged by the fact that the Spirit is encouraging us with prayer. All of us are weak which is why we all need to pray. Jesus is our model for praying at all times. The HolySpirit searches our hearts and intercedes for the saints – intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. The Holy Spirit is a Person, the third member of the Godhead. The fact that the Spirit prays for us shows he is distinct from the Father to whom He prays. Also the Father knows perfectly the mind of the Spirit. The Spirit indwells everyone who belongs to Jesus Christ.

The Spirit prayers for us are always according to God’s will and thus our prayers are always answered. Part of our weakness in prayer is that we are not able to know God’s sovereign will – there is also a mystery we can’t fully understand. Paul’s point is to be that we ahould pray the best we can but if God’s decreed will differs from from our prayers the Spirit will correct our requests to lineup with God’s will to be answered. God’s gift of the Spirit at our new birth of creation (including man) acts as if it is going through birth pains. This portends a future deliverance and suffering which both are the result of past events. Hope and the Spirit help us in our suffering. We do not know How to pray as we should. The basic principle of effectives praying is that it must be in harmony with the will of God to be effective. Then Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

I like quoting.s.Lewis to illustrate the point of our verses “There are no doubt , passages in the NewTestament which may seem at first sight to promise an invariable granting of our prayers. But that cannot be what they really mean. For in the very heart of the story we meet a glaring instance to the contrary. In Gethsemane the holiest of all petitioners prayed three times that a certain cup might pass from Him. It did not. After that prayer is recommended to us as a certain of infallible may be dismissed.

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(17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlighted; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints , (19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (21)far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (22) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The letter to the Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul. In our text today it is pretty clear that God’s mighty power that saved us has exalted Christ over all rule and authority in the universe; we are saved if we believe on Him We are always in need of the Holy Spirit, not just being intellectually lazy and exposing ourselves to spiritual danger. There is always danger of spiritual pride of known doctrine rather than than allowing that doctrine to be further understood. God wants us to know the hope of His calling – there is a general call to all people – but many ignore or reject this invitation. But there is also God’s effectual call that always accomplishes God’s purpose of saving God’s chosen people. The practical application here is that our salvation does not rest on our choosing but rather Christ choosing us. God’s mighty power is not the point but rather that the eyes of our hearts (to the intellect, the emotions and the will) being enlightened. Paul wants us to know that if we believe in Christ it is not from human will, it comes from God’s mighty power. There is a difference between making a decision and being born again which requires an act of God that raises a person from death to new life.

Paul’s first pray in our verses is offered not only for divine counsel and prayer for the Ephesians but for all people of God – a petition for those already saved. If you are a Christian you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you giving you insight into the truth found in the word of God. All Scripture is divinely inspired. It was not merely the intellect Paul has in mind, it it’s the truth in your heart and mind.

If you are a Christian, God’s mighty power is already yours but perhaps you may not be aware of what you possess.
You have God’s power to overcome temptation and live a holy life. If you have no desire to overcome sin and represent Christ on this earth you may have not been raised from spiritual death to spiritual life. It is the eyes of the heart that spiritually discerns. That is why people must be born again, otherwise they cannot understand the things of God