Our Other Intercessor

Our Other Intercessor

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 groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26

We have been dwelling for the past few days upon the Intercession of Christ. We would be remiss to leave the subject of Intercession without making reference to our other Great Intercessor, the Holy Spirit. Our text for today declares, ‘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 groanings which cannot be uttered.’ We pray often. As we pray, we are conscious of our own deficiencies in prayer. There are, beyond what we perceive, even greater deficiencies than we can apprehend. How can we then be successful in the place of prayer? Do we just need to ‘learn to pray better?’ Shall we rely upon prayers written out for us and recited to give better form and substance to our petitions? None of these really satisfy the need do they? How can we, poor, finite worms of the dust, hope the prevail in prayer before the Almighty, Holy God? Our text answers this question. God cannot deny Himself. The Father cannot deny the Son, nor can He deny the Holy Spirit. The One intercedes for us by the holding up of the Great Objective Plea of His Blood. The Other intercedes for us ‘with groanings that cannot be uttered.’ Here is great encouragement for us. These two Intercessors must prevail. Their Intercession is the foundation of our confidence. Because they Intercede for us, we may come and pray with boldness.  Therefore today, Child of God, plead your case. Let the Holy Spirit sort out the details. Pray, knowing that He will plead more powerfully and successfully than you can hope.

Our most Gracious and Loving God, we praise You today,
for the powerful pleadings of the Blessed Holy Spirit.
We rejoice that our petitions succeed,
because His intercession prevails at the Throne of Grace.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning