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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