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 flame of faith does not always burn with the same intensity. The great London preacher, Charles Spurgeon, preached for over 30 years to an average of five thousand people every Sunday morning, and five thousand people every Sunday evening. Yet this man of God frequently had to fight great moods of depression.
God does not abandon His children when the soul is disquieted and cast down. When the question arises, "Where is your God?" the believer can answer, "His Spirit is with me, even now interceding for me with 'groans that words cannot express.'"
The work of the Holy Spirit is not limited to bringing about a state of repentance. When He comes creating faith in Jesus as Savior, He stays to intercede. This does not mean that He substitutes prayers on behalf of those who refuse to pray or pray indifferently. But one of the most glorious aspects of His presence as the promised Comforter is that He is with us speaking unutterable words as we pray to the Father.
All thanks to God that our ability to express the depths of our conflicts as well as the breadth of our love is always refined and enlarged by the Spirit within us.
PRAYER: We thank You, heavenly Father, that in our prayers we always come before You with Your Spirit at our side. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996 (out of print), Concordia Publishing House. For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 8-10 1 Timothy 5
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