The Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Prayers

And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we
ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;
27 and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh
intercession for the saints according to the will of God, (Romans 8:26-27). These verses teach that
the Holy Spirit is active when we pray to the Father. He takes our pitiful “groanings” and presents
them in a sensible, scriptural manner to God.
There are times in life when Christians find themselves unable to pray intelligently. Whether
because of weakness, distractions, despair, or outright ignorance, we sometimes “know not how
to pray as we ought.” We may not know what to pray for because we do not fully understand the
facts of the situation. We may be experiencing sorrow or disappointment in our own lives, or in
the lives of others, but cannot articulate exactly why. Or, our judgment may be so clouded by
earthly matters or distractions that the correct line of prayer does not occur to us. We may be
burdened with other problems, or we may simply not know what would be the proper request under
the circumstances. In all of these situations, the Holy Spirit actively makes intercession for faithful
children to God. He takes these inexpressible feelings, heartaches or confused emotions and
organizes them. He understands what we are trying to say. He understands what we should be
praying for under the circumstances, and He presents a proper, well-organized request to the Father
on our behalf. As our helper or Paraclete, He intercedes for us by helping us speak to God
effectively.
Some have mistakenly concluded that the “groanings” referred to in verse 26 are those of
the Holy Spirit. Once again, they are usually thinking of the Holy Spirit not as a person, but as a
mysterious force or influence. But the Holy Spirit is not an influence. He is a person wielding an
influence. And He is fully capable of expressing Himself clearly. To “groan” is to make an
inarticulate sound, often because of pain or sorrow. But the Holy Spirit is anything but inarticulate.
By his nature, He brings order and structure to every situation, no matter how confusing it may be
to us. He is all-powerful, and able to help us in our most confused, and difficult times. To “groan”
is to be unable to express oneself articularly or intelligently. In essence, the Bible here says, “No
problem, when that happens the Holy Spirit has your back.”
The word “groanings” translates the Greek word stenagmos, which is the same word Steven
used in Acts 7:34 to describe deep, painful cries of God’s people under Egyptian bondage. God
said, “I have heard their groanings and have come down to deliver them.” Paul had earlier used
it to describe the church under affliction: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and
travaileth in pain together until now,” (Romans 8:23). Even the apostles were not immune from
such groanings: “And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even
we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
(Romans 8:23). These verses teach that “groanings” are an inevitable part of the Christian life, and
should be expected.
Jesus promised that He would send a Helper or Comforter to his apostles, and would not
leave them desolate, (John 14:18). He said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter [literally “helper”], that he may be with you for ever,” (John 14:16). Although
the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit were delivered as promised, they did their job and are
concluded, the Holy Spirit is still active on our behalf as we pray to God. He is still helping us by
interceding for us to the Father.
This intercession by the Holy Spirit is to be distinguished from the advocacy done for us by
Jesus Christ, (cf. 1 John 2:1). To “advocate” for someone is to argue their case. This Jesus does in
a highly effective manner. But the Holy Spirit is more like a translator, an organizer, an intercessor,
who makes the advocacy possible! How thankful we should be that the Holy Spirit has such a vital
role in our prayers.