The Prayers of the Holy Spirit

By Greg Laurie, Op-ed contributor Friday, June 19, 2009

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. - Romans 8:26

Have you ever been deeply concerned about something or someone, but you didn't know what to pray? "What can I say," you wonder. "I don't know how to articulate this."

But did you know that sometimes some of the best prayers are the shortest and the simplest?

We might think, God likes flowery, long prayers. In fact, the longer they are, the more impressed God will be. I don't think so.

Jesus spoke of the Pharisees who loved to pray long prayers. He said, " 'They think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him' " (Matthew 6:7–8).

Sometimes, we will come to God and say, "Lord, I want to pray for this situation. Um, well, um. . . ." We want to pray, but we don't know how to articulate it. It may be nothing more than a grunt or a groan.

But God understands that prayer. Whether you have a beautiful prayer to pray or whether you don't know what to say, present it to God, and the Holy Spirit will help you.

According to Romans 8:26, "The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses." The Holy Spirit helps us to pray.

Remember all that God has done for you and all that He is doing for you. He saved you. His Holy Spirit indwells you. He assures you. He teaches you. And He helps you to pray.

So let's yield to Him. Let's open up our hearts to the work that He wants to do in our lives.

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