It Is an Inside Job – Part 4

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26

The twin pillars of a believer’s daily life should be prayer and Scripture. And while praying may be simple, it’s not always easy. We lack motivation, we’re easily distracted, and not always sure what we should be praying for. So recognizing our human inadequacies, God ‘helps’ us through His indwelling Holy Spirit: ‘The Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning’s that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father… knows… what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us… in harmony with God’s own will’ (vv. 26-27). That means no matter how you feel when you pray, the Holy Spirit joins in prayer with you, and for you, transforming your feeblest prayers into powerful appeals to the Father. And when it comes to the second pillar, namely the Word of God, the Holy Spirit’s role is equally dynamic. Jesus said, ‘When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth… whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will [show] you things to come’ (John 16:13). Notice, the Holy Spirit does three things: 1) He guides you as you study the Word of God and seek to understand it. 2) He takes what Jesus wants you to know and reveals it to you. 3) He opens your understanding about things that are still to come. No question, good reference books, Scripture-based resources, and skilled Bible teachers can be helpful, but they’re no substitute when it comes to hearing from the Holy Spirit for yourself and listening carefully to what He wants to tell you through God’s Word.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me pray Your Word and let Your Holy Spirit speak to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen